AT   LOS  ANGELES 


GIFT  OF 

iiugene   E.    Trussing 


3755     8 


THE 

LIFE 

OF 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 


DURING  THE  WAR  WHICH  ESTABLISHED  THE  INDEPENDENCE 
OF  HIS   COUNTRY, 

AND 

FIRST  PRESIDENT 

OF   THE 

UNITED  STATES. 

COMPILED 
UNDER  THE  INSPECTION  OF 

THE  HONOURABLE  BUSHROD  WASHINGTON, 

FROM 

ORIGINAL  PAPERS 

p  BEOJJEATHED  TO  HIM  BY  HIS  DECEASED  RELATIVE,  AND  NOW  IN  POSSESSION 

OF  THE  AUTHOR. 

TO  WHICH  IS  PREFIXED, 

AN  INTRODUCTION, 

CONTAINING 

A  COMPENDIOUS  VIEW  OF   THE  COLONIES  PLANTED  BY   THE  ENGLISH 

ON  THE 

CONTINENT  OF  NORTH  AMERICA, 

FROM  THEIR  SETTLEMENT 
TO  THE  COMMENCEMENT  OF  THAT  WAR  WHICH  TERMINATED  IN  THEIR 

INDEPENDENCE. 


BY  JOHN  MARSHALL. 


VOL.  II. 
PHILADELPHIA.- 

PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  C.  P.  WAYNE. 
1804. 


DISTRICT  OF  PENNSYLVANIA,  TO  WIT. 
*********       BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  that  on  the  thirteenth  day  of 
*  February,  in  the  twenty-eighth  year  of  the  Independence 
|   SEAL.   J  Of  the  United  States  of  America,  CALEB  P.  WAYNE, 
#*###****  of  the  said  District,  hath  deposited  in  this  office  the 
Title  of  a  Book,   the  right  whereof  he  claims  as  Pro- 
prietor, in  the  words  following,  to  wit:.... 

"  The  Life  of  George  Washington,  Commander  in  Chief  of  the 
'  American  Forces,  during  the  War  which  established  the  Indepen- 
'  dence  of  his  country,  and  First  President  of  the  United  States.... 
'  Compiled  under  the  inspection  of  the  Honourable  Bushrod  Wash- 
'  ington,  from  original  papers  bequeathed  to  him  by  his  deceased 
'  Relative,  and  now  in  possession  of  the  author.  To  which  is  pre- 
'  h'xed,  an  Introduction,  containing  a  compendious  View  of  the 
'  Colonies  planted  by  the  English  on  the  Continent  of  North  Ame- 
'  rica,  from  their  settlement  to  the  commencement  of  that  war  which 
'  terminated  in  their  Independence.  By  JOHN  MARSHALL." 

In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States 
entituled  "An  act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing  the 
copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of 
such  copies  during  the  times  therein  mentioned....  And  also  to  the 
Act  intituled  "  An  act  Supplementary  to  an  Act  intituled  "  An  act 
for  the  encouragement  of  learning  by  securing  the  copies  of  maps, 
charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies 
during  the  times  therein  mentioned,  and  extending  the  benefits 
thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing,  engraving,  and  etching  historical 
and  other  prints." 

D.  CALDWELL,  Clerk  of  the 
District  of  Pennsylvania. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Birth  cf  mr.  Washington. ...His  mission  to  the  French  on 
the  Ohio.. ..Appointed  lieutenant  colonel  of  a  regiment 
of  regular  troops.. ..Surprises  monsieur  Jumonville.... 
Capitulation  of  fort  Necessity. ...Is  appointed  aid-du  -camp 
to  general  Bracklock... .Defeat  and  death  of  that  general.... 
Is  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  regiment.. ..Extreme 
distress  of  the  frontiers,  and  exertions  of  colonel 
Washington  to  augment  the  regular  force  of  the 
colony. ...General  Forbes  undertakes  the  expedition 
against  fort  du  Quesne... .Defeat  of  major  Grant. ...Fort 
du  Quesne  evacuated  by  the  French,  and  taken  posses- 
sion of  by  the  English. ...Resignation  and  marriage  of 
colonel  Washington. 

CHAPTER  II. 

Opinions  on  the  supremacy  of  parliament,  and  its  right 
to  tax  the  colonies....The  stamp  act.. ..Congress  as- 
semble at  New  York.. ..Violence  in  the  great  toAvns.... 
Change  of  the  administration. ...Stamp  act  repealed.... 
Opposition  to  the  mutiny  act....  Act  imposing  duties  on 
tea,  &c.  resisted  in  America.. ..The  assembly  of  Mas- 
sachussetts  address  letters  to  several  members  of  the 
administration  in  England.... Petition  to  the  king.. ..Cir- 
cular letters  to  the  colonial  assemblies. ...Letter  from 
the  earl  of  Hillsborough....  Assembly  of  Massachussetts 


- 


VJ  CONTENTS. 

dissolved. ...Seizure  of  the  sloop  Liberty....  A  convention 
assembles  at  Faneuil  Hall. ...Moderation  of  its  proceed- 
ings. ...TAVO  British  regiments  arrive  at  Boston. ...Reso- 
lutions of  the  house  of  burgesses  of  Virginia.. ..The 
governor  dissolves  the  assembly....The  members  form 
and  sign  a  non-importation  association....Measures  ge- 
nerally taken  against  the  importation  of  British  manu- 
factures....General  court  again  convened  in  Massachus- 
setts....Its  proceedings... .Is  prorogued. ...Administration 
resolve  on  a  repeal  of  all  the  duties  except  that  on  tea.... 
Circular  letter  of  the  earl  of  Hillsborough... .New  York 
recedes  in  part  from  the  non-importation  agreement.... 
The  example  generally  followed.. ..Riot  in  Boston.... 
Trial  and  acquittal  of  captain  Preston. 

CHAPTER  III. 

Insurrection  in  North  Carolina.. ..Dissatisfaction  of  Mas- 
sachussetts... .Corresponding  committees  appointed.... 
Governor  Hutchinson's  correspondence  with  the  admi- 
nistration sent  over  by  doctor  Franklin.. ..The  assembly 
petition  for  the  removal  of  the  governor  and  lieutenant 
governor.. ..Hutchinson  is  succeeded  by  general  Gage 
....Measures  to  enforce  the  execution  of  the  act  con- 
cerning duties.. ..Ferment  excited  in  America. ...The  tea 
is  thrown  into  the  sea  at  Boston.. ..Measures  of  parlia- 
ment.... General  enthusiasm  in  America. ...A  general 
congress  is  proposed. ...General  Gage  arrives  in  Boston 
....Troops  stationed  on  Boston  neck.. ..New  counsellors 
and  judges.. ..Obliged  to  resign. ...Boston  neck  fortified 
....Military  stores  seized  by  general  Gage. ...Prepara- 
tions for  defence  in  Massachusetts.... King's  speech  in 
parliament. ...Proceedings  of  that  body. ...Battle  of  Lex- 
ington....Vote  of  Massachusetts  for  raising  men.... 
Meeting  of  congress. ...Proceedings  of  that  body..^,, 
Transactions  in  Virginia.... Provincial  congress  of  South 
Carolina....Battle  of  Breed's  hill. 


CONTENTS.  vlj 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Colonel  Washington  appointed  commander  in  chief  of  the 
American  forces. ...Arrives  at  Cambridge. ...Strength 
and  disposition  of  the  two  armies.... Deficiency  of  the 
Americans  in  arms  andammunition....Falmouth  burnt.... 
Success  of  the  American  cruisers. ...Distress  of  the  Bri- 
tish from  the  want  of  fresh  provisions.. ..Difficulty  of 
re-inlisting  the  army. ...Plans  for  attacking  Boston.... 
Possession  taken  of  the  heights  of  Dorchester.. ..Boston 
evacuated. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Invasion  of  Canada  meditated.. ..The  Americans  enter 
that  province.. ..Siege  of  St.  Johns.... Capture  of  fort 
Chamble5....Carleton  defeated  atLongueisle....St.Johns 
capitulates... .Montreal  surrenders.... Arnold's  expedition 
by  the  way  of  the  Kennebec....He  arrives  before  Quebec 
....And  retires  to  Point  Aux  Trembles.. ..Montgomery 
lays  siege  to  Quebec. ...Unsuccessful  attack  on  that  place 
....Death  of  Montgomery....Blockade  of  Quebec  conti-» 
nued....General  Thomas  takes  command  of  the  army.... 
The  blockade  of  Quebec  is  raised.. ..General  Sullivan 
takes  the  command.. ..Battle  of  the  Three  Rivers.... 
Canada  evacuated. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Transactions  in  Virginia.. ..Action  at  the  Great  Bridge.... 
Norfolk  evacuated... .And  burnt... .Transactions  of  North 
Carolina.. ..Action  at  Moore's  creek  bridge. ...Invasion 
of  South  Carolina.. ..British  fleet  repulsed  at  fort  Moul- 
trie.... Transactions  in  New  York.. ..Measures  leading  to 
Independence. ...Independence  declared. 
CHAPTER  VII. 

Lord  and  sir  William  Howe  arrive  before  New  York.... 
Circular  letter  of  lord  Howe. ...State  of  the  American 
army.. ..The  enemy  land  in  force  on  Long  island.... 
Battle  of  Brooklyn  and  evacuation  of  Long  island.... 
Fruitless  negotiations.. .,New  York  evacuated. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Skirmish  on  the  heights  of  Haerlem....The  enemy  land 
at  Frogs'  neck.. ..The  American  army  evacuates  York 
island,  except  fort  Washington. ...Both  armies  move 
towards  the  White  Plains. ...Battle  of  the  White  Plains.... 
The  British  army  returns  to  King's  bridge,  and  gene- 
ral Washington  with  a  part  of  his  army  crosses  the 
North  river.. ..The  lines  of  fort  Washington  carried  by 
the  enemy,  and  the  garrison  made  prisoners. ...Evacu- 
ation of  fort  Lee. ...Weakness  of  the  American  army.... 
Ineffectual  attempts  to  raise  the  militia. ...General  Wash- 
ington retreats  through  Jersey. ...Capture  of  general 
Lee. ...General  Washington  crosses  the  Delaware.... 
Danger  of  Philadelphia. ...The  British  go  into  winter 
quarters. ...Battle  of  Trenton. ...Of  Princeton.. ..Firmness 
of  Congress'.' 


LIFE 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Birth  of  mr.  Washington. ...His  mission  to  the  French  on 
the  Ohio.... Appointed  lieutenant  colonel  of  a  regiment 
of  regular  troops. ...Surprises  monsieur  Jumonville.... 
Capitulation  of  fortNecessity....Is  appointed  aid -du -camp 
to  generalBradclock...  .Defeat  and  death  of  that  general.... 
Is  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  regiment. ...Extreme 
distress  of  the  frontiers,  and  exertions  of  colonel 
Washington  to  augment  the  regular  forces  of  the 
colony. ...General  Forbes  undertakes  the  expedition 
against  fort  du  Quesne... .Defeat  of  major  Grant.. ..Fort 
du  Quesne  evacuated  by  the  French,  and  taken  posses- 
sion of  by  the  English. ...Resignation  and  marriage  of 
colonel  Washington. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  the  third  son 

of  Augustine  Washington,  was  born  in  Virginia,  Birth  of  mr. 

'  Washington. 

at  Bridges  creek,  in  the  county  of  Westmoreland, 
on  the  22d  of  February  1732.  He  was  the 
great  grandson  of  John  Washington,  a  gentle- 
man of  a  very  respectable  family  in  the  north 
of  England,  who  had  emigrated  about  the  year 
1657,  and  settled  on  the  place  where  young 
mr.  Washington  was  born. 

VOL.    II.  B-< 


2  "THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  Very  early  in  life,  the  cast  of  his  genius  dis- 
1732.  closed  itself.  The  war  in  which  his  country 
was  then  engaged  against  France  and  Spain, 
first  kindled  those  latent  sparks,  which  after- 
wards blazed  with  equal  splendour  and  advan- 
tage, and  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  urged  so 
pressingly  to  be  permitted  to  enter  into  the 
British  navy,  that  the  place  of  a  midshipman 
was  obtained  for  him.  The  interference  of  a 
timid  and  affectionate  mother,  suspended  for  a 
time  the  commencement  of  his  military  course. 
He  lost  his  father  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  and 
received  what  was  denominated  an  English 
education,  a  term  which  excludes  the  acquisi- 
tion of  other  languages  than  our  own.  As  his 
patrimonial  estate  was  by  no  means  considerable, 
his  youth  was  employed  in  useful  industry;  and 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  as  a  surveyor, 
he  had  an  opportunity  of  acquiring  that  informa- 
tion respecting  vacant  lands,  and  of  forming 
those  opinions  concerning  their  future  value, 
which  afterwards  greatly  contributed  to  the  in- 
crease of  his  private  fortune. 

It  is  strong  evidence  of  the  opinion  entertained 
of  his  capacity  that,  when  not  more  than  nine- 
teen years  of  age,  and  at  a  time  when  the  militia 
were  to  be  trained  for  actual  service,  he  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  adjutants  general  of  Virginia, 
with  the  rank  of  major.  The  duties  annexed 
to  this  office  were  performed  by  him  for  a  very 
short  time. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

The  plan  formed  by  France  for  connecting  CHAP,  i. 
her  extensive  dominions  in  America  by  uniting     1753. 
Canada  with  Louisiana,  now  began  to  develop 
itself.     Possession  was  taken  of  a  tract  of  coun- 
try then  deemed  to  be  within  the  province  of 
Virginia,  and  a  line  of  posts  was  commenced 
from  the  lakes  to  the  Ohio.     The  attention  of 
mr.  Dinwiddie,  the  lieutenant  governor  of  that 
province,    was    attracted    by    these    supposed 
encroachments,  and  he  deemed  it  his  duty  to 
demand,  in  the  name  of  the  king  his  master, 
that  they  should  desist  from  the  prosecution  of 
designs   which   violated,    as   he   thought,   the 
treaties  between  the  two  crowns.     A  proper 
person  was  to  be  selected  for  the  performance 
of  this  duty,    which,    at  that  time,    was  very 
properly  believed  to  be  a  very  arduous  one. 
A  great  part  of  the  country  through  which  the 
envoy  was  to  pass,    was  almost  entirely  unex- 
plored, and  inhabited  only  by  Indians,  many 
of  whom  were  hostile  to  the  English,  and  others 

of  doubtful  attachment.     While  the  dangers 

/  ° 

and  fatigues  of  the  journey  deterred  from  un- 
dertaking it  those,  who  did  not  extend  their 
views  to  the  future  scenes  to  be  exhibited  in 
that  country,  or  who  did  not  wish  to  be  actors 
in  them  ;  they  seem  to  have  furnished  motives 
to  mr.  Washington  for  desiring  to  be  employed 
in  this  hazardous  service,  and  he  engaged  in  it 
with  the  utmost  alacrity. 
B  2 


£  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  r.       He  commenced  his  journey  from  Williams- 
1753.    burg,  the  day  on  wrhich  he  was  commissioned, 
and  arrived  on  the  14th  of  November  at  Wills' 
creek,  then  the  extreme  frontier  settlement  of 
English.     Guides  were  there  engaged  to 
conduct  him  over  the  Alleghany  mountains,  the 
passage  of  which,  at  that  season  of  the  year, 
began  to  be  extremely   difficult.     After  sur- 
mounting considerable  impediments  from  the 
snow  and  high  waters,    he  reached  the  mouth 
of  Turtle  creek,  on  the  Monongahela,  on  the 
22d,  where  he  learned  from  an   Indian  trader, 
that  the  French  general  was  dead,  and  that  the 
major  part  of  the  army  had  retired  into  winter 
quarters.      Pursuing  his  route,    he  examined 
the  country  with  a  military  eye,  and  selected 
the  forks  of  the  Monongahela  and  Alleghany 
rivers,  the  place  where  fort  du  Quesne,  now 
Fort  Pitt,  was  afterwards  erected  by  the  French, 
as  an  advantageous  and  commanding  position, 
which  it  would  be  advisable  to  take  possession 
of  immediately,  and  to  fortify. 

After  employing  a  few  days  among  the  Indians 
in  that  neighbourhood,  and  procuring  some  of 
their  chiefs,  whose  fidelity  he  took  the  most 
judicious  means  for  securing,  to  accompany 
him ;  he  ascended  the  Alleghany  river ;  and  at 
the  mouth  of  French  creek,  found  the  first  fort 
occupied  by  the  troops  of  France.  Proceeding 
further  up  the  creek  to  another  fort,  he  was  re- 
ceived by  monsieur  le  Gardeur  de  St.  Pierre, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  5 

the  commanding  officer  on  the  Ohio,  to  whom   CHAP,  i. 
he  delivered  the  letter  of  mr.  Dinwiddie,  and     1754. 
having  received  an  answer  from  him,  returned 
with  infinite  fatigue,  and  much  danger  from  the 
hostile  Indians,  to  Williamsburg.     The  exer-  January  is. 
tions  made  by  mr.  Washington  on  this  occasion, 
the  perseverance  with  which  he  surmounted  the 
difficulties  of  the  journey,  and  the  judgment 
displayed  in  his  conduct  towards  the  Indians, 
raised  him  very  much  in  the  public  opinion,  as 
well  as  in  that  of  the  lieutenant  governor.     His 
journal,*   drawn  up  for  the  inspection  of  mr. 
Dinwiddie,  was  published,  and  generally  con- 
sidered -as  strongly  evidencing  the  solidity  of 
his  judgment,    and  the  fortitude  of  his  mind. 
As  the  answer  from  the  commandant  of  the 
French  forces  on  the  Ohio,  indicated  no  dispo- 
sition to  withdraw  from  that  country,   it  was 
deemed  necessary  to  make  some  preparations  to 
maintain  the  right  asserted  over  it  by  the  British 
crown,  and  the  assembly  of  Virginia  determined 
to  authorize  the  governor,  with  the  advice  of 
council,  to  raise  a  regiment  for  that  purpose, 
to  consist  of  three  hundred  men.   The  command 
of  this  regiment  was  given  to  a  mr.  Fry,   a 
gentleman  supposed  to  be  well  acquainted  with  Appointed 

11  lieutenant 

the  western   country,    and  major  Washington  ™^n°/ 
was  appointed  lieutenant  colonel.     Extremely 


of regular 
troops. 


See  JVb?e,  No.  /.  at  the  end  of  the  •volume. 


(5  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.    solicitous  to  be  engaged  as  early  as  possible  in 
1754.    active  service,  and  to  be  usefully  employed, 
he  obtained  permission,  about  the  beginning  of 
April,  to  march  with  two  companies  in  advance 
of  the  other  troops,    to  the  Great  Meadows. 
By  this  measure  he  expected  to  protect   the 
country,    to  make  himself  more  perfectly  ac- 
quainted with  it,  as  well  as  with  the  situations 
and  designs  of  the  enemy  ;  and  to  preserve  the 
friendship  of  the  savages.     Immediately  after 
his  arrival  at  that  place,  he  was  visited  by  some 
friendly  Indians,   who  informed  him  that   the 
French  had  dispossessed  a  party  of  workmen 
employed  by  the  Ohio  company  to  erect  a  fort 
on    the    south    eastern   branch   of  the    Ohio, 
and  were  themselves   then  engaged   in   com- 
pleting   a    fortification    at    the    confluence    of 
the  Alleghany  and  Monongahela  rivers;    and 
that  a  detachment  from  that  place  was  then  on 
its  march  towards  the  Great  Meadows.     Open 
hostilities  had  not  yet   commenced,    but   the 
country  was  considered  as  invaded,  and  several 
circumstances  were  related  contributing  to  the 
opinion  that  this  party  was  approaching  with 
hostile  views.     Among  others  it  was  stated  that 
they  had  left  the  path  some  distance,  and  had 
encamped  for  the  night  in  a  bottom,  in  a  secret, 
retired  situation,  as  if  to  secure  concealment. 
The  Indians   offering   themselves   as    guides, 
colonel  Washington   set  out  in  a  dark  rainy 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  7 

night,  in  the  course  of  which  he  surrounded  CHAP,  i. 
and  completely  surprised  the  French  encamp-  1754. 
ment,  which  was  but  a  few  miles  west  of  the  surprises 

monsieur 

Great  Meadows.     About  day  break  his  troops  J«™»viiie. 
fired,  and  rushed  upon  the  French,  who  imme- 
diately surrendered.     One  man  only  escaped, 
and  a  mr.  Jumonville  the  commanding  officer 
of  the  party,  was  the  only  person  killed. 

The  residue  of  the  regiment  was  now  on  its 
way  to  join  the  detachment  advanced  in  their 
front.  On  the  march,  colonel  Fry  died  at 
Patterson's  creek,  and  the  command  devolved 
on  colonel  Washington.  Their  junction  was 
effected  at  the  Great  Meadows,  soon  after 
which  two  independent  companies  of  regulars 
arrived  at  the  same  place,  the  one  from  South 
Carolina,  and  the  other  from  New  York,  making 
in  the  whole,  (for  the  Virginia  regiment  was 
not  complete)  somewhat  less  than  four  hundred 
effective  men.  The  regular  captains  objected  to 
being  commanded  by  a  provincial  officer,  but, 
under  existing  circumstances,  the  dispute  about 
rank  was  waved  for  the  moment,  and  the  com- 
mand rested  with  colonel  Washington.  A 
small  stockade  afterwards  called  fort  Neces- 
sity, was  erected  at  the  Great  Meadows,  for 
the  purpose  of  securing  the  provisions  and 
horses,  after  which  the  troops  commenced  their 
march  towards  fort  du  Quesne,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  dislodging  the  French  from  that  place. 
They  had  proceeded  to  the  westernmost  foot  of 


g  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  the  Laurel  hill,  about  thirteen  miles  from 
1754.  fort  Necessity,  when  intelligence  was  received 
which  terminated  their  march.  They  were 
there  met  by  some  friendly  Indians  who  inform- 
ed them  that  the  enemy  was-  rapidly  advancing 
as  numerous  as  the  pigeons  in  the  woods. 
Among  those  who  brought  this  information, 
was  a  very  trusty  chief,  who  had  left  the  fort 
on  the  Ohio,  only  two  days  before,  where  he 
had  seen  a  considerable  re-enforcement  arrive, 
and  had  heard  the  intention  declared  of  march- 
ing immediately  to  attack  the  English,  with 
a  corps  composed  of  eight  hundred  French, 
and  four  hundred  Indians.  This  intelligence 
was  corroborated,  by  the  information  already 
received  from  deserters,  who  had  come  in  a 
few  days  before,  and  had  assured  them  that  a 
re-enforcement  was  expected.  The  troops  had 
been  without  bread  for  six  days,  and  had  but 
a  very  small  supply  of  meat.  The  enemy  could 
approach  within  five  miles  of  their  position  by 
water,  and  might  either  pass  them  by  a  road 
leading  through  the  country  some  distance  from 
them,  so  as  to  cut  off  all  supplies,  and  starve 
them  into  a  surrender;  or  fight  them  with  a 

superiority  of  three  to  one. 

J""e  23-  In  this  hazardous  situation,  a  council  of 
war  was  called,  and  the  officers  unanimously 
advised  that  they  should  retire  to  the  fort  at  the 
Great  Meadows,  where  the  two  .roads  united, 
and  the  country  would  not  easily  admit  the  pas- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  9 

sage  of  an  enemy  without  being-  perceived.  CHAP,  i. 
At  that  place  it  was  intended  to  remain  until  re-  1754. 
enforcements  of  men,  and  supplies  of  provisions 

should  arrive.  

In  pursuance  of  this  advice,  colonel  Wash-  J^x2- 
ington  retreated  to  fort  Necessity,  and  began 
a  ditch  around  the  stockade.  Before  it  was 
completed,  the  enemy,  supposed  to  amount  to 
fifteen  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of 
monsieur  de  Villier,  appeared  and  immedi-  1'hinl- 
ately  commenced  a  furious  attack  upon  the 
fort,  where  they  were  received  with  great  in- 
trepidity. The  Americans  fought  partly  within 
the  stockade,  and  partly  in  the  surrounding 
ditch  which  was  nearly  filled  with  mud  and 
water.  Colonel  Washington  in  person  conti- 
nued die  whole  day  on  the  outside  of  the  fort, 
encouraging  the  soldiers  by  his  countenance 
and  example.  The  enemy  fought  under  cover 
of  the  trees  and  high  grass,  with  which  the 
country  abounds.  The  engagement  was  con- 
tinued with  great  resolution  from  ten  in  the 
morning  until  dark,  when  monsieur  de  Villier,  capitulation 

«  '  of  fort 

demanded  a  parley,  and  offered  terms  of  capitu-  Necessity- 

lation.   The  proposals  first  made  were  rejected;    

but  in  the  course  of  the  night,  articles  were  Fourth-  _ 
signed,  by  which  the  fort  was  surrendered,  on 
condition  that,  its  garrison  should  be  allowed 
the  honours  of  war;  should  be  permitted  to 
retain  their  arms  and  baggage;  and  to  march 
without  molestation  into  the  inhabited  parts  of 

VOL.   II.  C 


-i(j  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  Virginia.  The  capitulation  being  in  French, 
1754.  a  language  not  understood  by  colonel  Wash- 
ington, or  any  of  his  party,  and  drawn  up  in 
the  night  under  circumstances  not  admitting 
delay ;  contains  an  expression  which  was  at 
the  time  untruly  translated  by  the  interpreter, 
advantage  of  which  has  been  since  taken  by  the 
enemies  of  that  gentleman,  to  imply  an  admis- 
sion on  his  part,  that  the  officer  killed  in  the 
action  preceding  the  attack  on  the  fort,  was 
assassinated. 

An  account  of  the  transaction  was  published 
by  monsieur  de  Villier,  which  drew  from  colo- 
nel Washington  a  letter  to  a  friend,  completely 
disproving  a  calumny  which,  though  entirely 
discredited  at  the  time,  was  revived  at  a  sub- 
sequent period,  when  circumstances,  well  un- 
derstood, at  the  date  of  the  transaction,  might 
be  supposed  to  be  forgotten.* 

The  whole  loss  sustained  by  the  Americans 
in  this  affair,  is  not  ascertained.  From  a  return 
made  on  the  ninth  of  July  at  Wills'  creek,  it 
appears  that  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the 
Virginia  regiment  amounted  to  fifty-eight ;  but 
the  loss  of  the  two  independent  companies  is  not 
stated.  It  was  conjectured  that,  on  the  part 
of  the  enemy,  about  two  hundred  were  killed 
and  wounded,  and  it  is  probable  that  this  con- 
jecture does  not  greatly  err. 

*   See  J\rotey  Ao.  II.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  j 

Notwithstanding    the    stipulation    that    the  CHAP.  i. 
troops  should  be  unmolested  on  their  march,     1754. 
heavy  complaints  were    made  of  their  being 
plundered  and  maltreated  by  the  Indians.    The 
cause  of  their  complaints  was  perhaps  unavoid- 
able ;  for  it  was  always  found  extremely  difficult 
to  secure,  on  the  part   of  these  troublesome 
allies  and  formidable  enemies,  an  observance 
of  engagements. 

Great  credit  was  given  to  colonel  Washington 
by  his  countrymen,  for  the  courage  displayed 
on  this  occasion;  and  the  legislature  were  so 
satisfied  with  the  "conduct  of  the  party,  as  to 
vote  their  thanks*  to  him  and  the  officers 
under  his  command.  They  also  gave  three 
hundred  pistoles  to  be  distributed  among  the 


*  To  the  vote  of  thanks,  the  officers  made  the  following 
reply : 

"  We  the  officers  of  the  Virginia  regiment,  are  highly 
sensible  of  the  particular  mark  of  distinction  with  which 
you  have  honoured  us,  in  returning  your  thanks  for  our 
behaviour  in  the  late  action ;  and  cannot  help  testifying 
our  grateful  acknowledgments,  for  your  "  high  sense"  of 
what  we  shall  always  esteem  a  duty  to  our  country  and  the 
best  of  kings. 

Favoured  with  your  regard,  we  shall  zealously  endea- 
vour to  deserve  your  applause,  and  by  our  future  actions, 
strive  to  convince  the  worshipful  house  of  burgesses,  how 
much  we  esteem  their  approbation,  and  as  it  ought  to  be, 
regard  it  as  the  voice  of  our  country. 

Signed  for  the  whole  corps, 

GEO:  WASHINGTON." 

c  2 


THE  LIFE  OF 

soldiers  engaged  in  the  action,  as  a  reward  for 
their  bravery. 

The  regiment  returned  to  Winchester  to  be 
recruited,  and  the  companies  expected  from 
North  Carolina  and  Maryland  having  arrived, 
governor  Dinwiddie,  without  attending  to  the 
condition  or  number  of  the  forces,  ordered 
them,  on  the  advice  of  council,  immediately 
to  march  over  the  Alleghany  mountains,  either 
to  dispossess  the  French  of  their  fort,  or  to 
build  one  in  some  proper  place  in  the  country. 

The  little  army  in  Virginia,  which  was  placed 
under  the  command  of  colonel  Innes  from  North 
August.  Carolina,  did  not,  as  now  re-enforced,  exceed 
half  the  number  of  the  enemy,  and  was  unpro- 
vided with  the  means  of  moving,  or  with  those 
supplies  for  a  winter  campaign,  which  are  so 
particularly  necessary  in  the  severe  climate 
where  they  were  about  to  act.  With  as  little 
consideration,  directions  were  given  for  the 
immediate  completion  of  the  regiment,  without 
furnishing  a  single  shilling  with  which  to  recruit 
a  man.  Although  Virginia  had  long  basked  in 
the  sunshine  of  peace,  It  seems  difficult  to 
account  for  such  inconsiderate  and  ill  judged 
_2_  measures.  Colonel  Washington  remonstrated 
strongly  against  these  orders,  but  prepared,  as 
far  as  possible,  to  execute  them.  The  assembly, 
however,  having  risen  in  a  few  days,  without 
making  any  provision  whatever  for  the  further 
prosecution  of  the  war,  this  wildtexpedition  was 
for  the  present  relinquished. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  13 

After  the  season  for  action  was  over,  the  CHAP,  i. 
Virginia  regiment  was  reduced  to  independent  1754. 
companies;  and  in  the  course  of  the  winter, 
orders  were  received  for  settling  the  rank  of 
the  officers  of  his  majesty's  forces  when  joined, 
or  serving  with  the  provincial  forces  in  North 
America ;  which  directed,  that  all  officers  com- 
missioned by  the  king,  or  by  his  general 
commanding  in  chief  in  North  America,  should! 
take  rank  of  all  officers  commissioned  by  the 
governors  of  the  respective  provinces.  And 
further,  that  the  general  and  field  officers  of 
the  provincial  troops,  should  have  no  rank 
when  serving  with  the  general  and  field  officers 
commissioned  by  the  crown;  but  that  all  cap- 
tains, and  other  inferior  officers  of  the  royal 
troops,  should  take  rank  over  provincial  officers 
of  the  same  grade,  having  senior  commissions. 

Though  his  original  attachment  to  a  military 
life  had  been  rather  increased  by  the  applauses 
bestowed  on  his  first  essay  in  arms,  colonel 
Washington  possessed  too  entirely  the  proud 
and  punctilious  feelings  of  a  soldier,  to  submit 
to  a  degradation  so  humiliating  as  this.  Pro- 
fessing his  unabated  inclination  to  continue  in 
the  service,  he  retired  indignantly  from  it,  and 
answered  the  various  letters  which  he  received 
pressing  him  still  to  hold  his  commission,  with 
assurances  that,  he  would  serve  with  pleasure 
when  he  should  be  enabled  to  do  so  without 
dishonour. 


14  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  His  eldest  brother  mr.  Lawrence  Washington, 
1754.  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  expedition  against 
Carthagena,  had  lately  died,  and  left  him  a  con- 
siderable estate  on  the  Potowmack,  which,  in 
compliment  to  the  admiral  who  commanded 
the  fleet  engaged  in  that  enterprise,  by  whom 
he  had  been  particularly  noticed,  he  had  called 
Mount  Vernon.  To  this  delightful  spot,  colonel 
Washington  now  withdrew,  resolving  to  devote 
all  his  future  attention  to  the  avocations  of  pri- 
vate life.  This  resolution  was  not  long  main- 
tained. 


1755.        General   Braddock   being   informed  of  his 

— — —  merit,    his  knowledge  of  the    country  which 

was  to  be  the  theatre  of  action,  and  his  motives 

for  retiring  from  the  service,.... motives,  which 

that  officer  could  not  disapprove ;  gratified  his 

desire  to  make  one  campaign  under  a  person 

supposed  to  possess  some  knowledge  of  the 

art  of  war,  by  inviting  him  to  enter  into  his 

is  appointed  family  as  a  volunteer  aid-de-camp.    This  invi- 

aid-Ue-camp  * 

BrSdock.  tation,  colonel  Washington  readily  accepted, 
stipulating  only  for  permission  to  employ  him- 
self in  the  arrangement  of  his  private  affairs, 
until  the  general  should  be  on  his  march,  and 
that  he  might  return  to  them,  when  the  active 

part  of  the  campaign  should  be  over. 

Colonel  Washington  joined  general  Brad- 
dock  immediately  after  his  departure  from 
Alexandria,  and  proceeded  with  him  to  Wills' 
creek,  afterwards  called  fort  Cumberland,  where 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  J[5 

the  army  was  detained,  waiting  for  waggons,   CHAP.I. 
horses,  and  proper  supplies  of  provisions,  until    1755. 
about  the  12th  of  June.     From  his  knowledge 
of  the  service  to  be  performed,  he  very  early 
suggested  the  propriety  of  using,  to  a  consider- 
able extent,   pack  horses  instead  of  waggons, 

for  the  baggage  of  the  army.     This  advice  was     J^- 
at  first  rejected;  but  soon  after  the  commence- 
ment of  the  march,  its  propriety  became  too 
obvious  to  be  longer  neglected,  and  considerable 
changes  were  made  in  this  respect. 

The  army  consisted  of  two  British  regiments, 
with  a  few  corps  of  provincials.  On  the  third  Fifteenth. 
day  after  it  had  moved  from  its  ground,  and  had 
marched  but  a  little  more  than  ten  miles  from 
fort  Cumberland,  colonel  Washington  was 
seized  with  a  raging  fever,  which  absolutely 
disabled  him  from  riding  on  horseback.  Per- 
sisting, however,  in  his  refusal  to  remain 
behind  the  troops,  he  was  conveyed  with  them 
in  a  covered  waggon.  General  Braddock,  who 
found  the  difficulties  of  the  march,  arising  from 
the  badness  of  the  roads,  and  his  long  train 
of  waggons,  infinitely  greater  than  had  been 
expected,  still  continued  privately  to  consult 
colonel  Washington  respecting  the  measures 
it  would  now  be  most  proper  to  pursue.  Re- 
taining his  first  impressions  on  the  manner  of 
conducting  the  march,  he  strenuously  urged  the 
general  to  leave  his  heavy  artillery  and  baggage 
behind,  with  the  rear  division  of  the  army,  to 


Q  THE  LIFE  OF 

HAP,  i.  follow  by  slow  and  easy  marches  j*  and  to  press 
1755.  forward  himself  as  expeditiously  as  possible  to 
fort  clu  Quesne,  with  a  chosen  body  of  troops, 
some  pieces  of  light  artillery,  and  stores  of  ab- 
solute and  immediate  necessity.  The  reasons 
urged  by  him  in  support  of  this  advice  were, 
that,  according-  to  all  their  intelligence,  the 
French  were  at  present  weak  on  the  Ohio,  but 
hourly  expected  re-enforcements  ;  that  during 
the  present  excessive  drought,  those  re-en- 
forcements could  not  arrive  with  the  necessary 
quantity  of  provisions,  and  other  supplies,  be- 
cause the  river  La.Boeuf,  on  which  they  must 
necessarily  be  brought  to  Venango,  did  not 
then  aiford  water  enough  to  admit  of  their  por- 
...;••  tage  down  it.  By  a  rapid  movement  therefore, 
it  was  extremely  probable,  that  the  fort  might 
be  reached  with  a  sufficient  force  to  carry  it 
before  the  arrival  of  the  looked  for  aid  ;  but  if 
this  measure  was  not;  adopted,  such  were  the 
delays  attendant  on  the  march  of  the  whole 
army,  that  rains,  sufficient  to  raise  the  waters 
might  reasonably  be  counted  on,  and  the  whole 
force  of  the  French  would  probably  be  collected 
for  •  their  reception;  a  circumstance,  which 
~W  might  render  the  success  of  the  expedition  ex- 
:  tremely  doubtful. 

This  advice,  accorded  well  with  the  temper 
of  the  commander  in  chief,  and  it  was  deter- 
mined in  a  council  held  at  the  Little  Meadows, 
that;  twelve  hundred  men  selected  from  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  17 

different  corps,  to  be  commanded  by  general  CHAP,  i. 
Braddock  in  person,  accompanied  by  sir  Peter  1755. 
Halket,  now  acting  as  a  brigadier,  the  lieu- 
tenant colonels,  Gage,  and  Burton,  and  by  major 
Spark,  should  advance  with  the  utmost  expedi- 
tion against  fort  du  Quesne.  They  were  to 
take  with  them  only  such  waggons  as  the  train 
would  absolutely  require,  and  to  carry  their 
provisions  and  necessary  baggage  on  horses. 
Dunbar  and  major  Chapman,  were  to  remain 
with  the  residue  of  the  two  regiments  and  all 
the  heavy  baggage. 

This  select  corps  commenced  its  march  with  Jme  19. 
only  thirty  carriages,  including  ammunition 
waggons,  and  these  strongly  horsed.  The  hopes, 
however,  which  had  been  entertained  of  the 
celerity  of  its  movements,  were  not  fulfilled. 
"I  found,"  said  colonel  Washington,  in  a 
letter  written  during  the  march,  to  his  brother, 
"  that  instead  of  pushing  on  with  vigour,  with- 
out regarding  a  little  rough  road,  they  were 
halting  to  level  every  mole  hill,  and  to  erect 
bridges  over  every  brook."  By  these  means, 
they  employed  four  days  in  reaching  the  great 
crossings  of  the  Yohogany,  only  nineteen  miles 
from  the  Little  Meadows. 

Here,  the  situation  of  colonel  Washington, 
and  the  medicines  which  had  been  .administered 
to  him,  rendered  it  indispensable :  for  him  to 
stop.  The  physician  declared  that  his  life  would 
be  endangered  by  continuing  with  the  army, 

VOL.    II.  D 


18  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  and  general  Braddock  ordered  him,  absolutely, 
1755.  to  remain  at  this  camp,  with  a  small  guard  left 
for  his  protection,  until  the  arrival  of  colonel 
Dunbar.  These  orders  he  very  reluctantly 
obeyed,  having  first  obtained  from  the  general 
his  solemn  promise,  that  means  should  be  used 
to  bring  him  up  with  the  detachment  in  front, 

before  it  reached  fort  du  Quesne. 

July8  The  day  before  the  action  of  the  Mononga- 
hela,  he  rejoined  the  general  in  a  covered 
waggon;  an  account  of  which  has  been  given 
in  the  preceding  volume.  Though  very  weak, 
he  immediately  entered  on  the  duties  of  his 
station. 

In  a  very  short  time  after  the  action  had 
commenced,  he  was  the  only  aid  remaining 
alive  and  unwounded.  On  him  alone  devolved, 
in  an  engagement  with  marksmen  who  selected 
officers,  and  especially  those  on  horse  back, 
for  their  objects,  the  whole  duty  of  carrying 
the  orders  of  the  commander  in  chief.  Under 
these  difficult  circumstances,  he  manifested 
that  coolness,  that  self  possession,  and  fearless- 
ness of  danger  which  ever  distinguished  him, 
and  which  are  so  necessary  to  the  character  of 
a  consummate  soldier.  He  had  two  horses 
killed  under  him,  and  four  balls  through  his 
coat ;  but  to  the  astonishment  of  all,  escaped 
unhurt,  while  every  other  officer  on  horseback 
\vas  either  killed  or  wounded.  "  I  expected 


i  of  that 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  19 

every  moment,"    says  an  eye  witness,*  "  to   CHAP. i. 
see  him  fall."     His  duty  and  situation  exposed     1755. 
him  to  every  danger.     Nothing  but  the  super- 
intending care  of  Providence  could  have  saved 
him  from  the  fate  of  all  around  him." 

At  lensrth,  after  an  action  of  near  three  hours  Defeat  ana 

death  of 

general  Braddock,  under  whom  three  horse ssen«-*i. 
had  been  killed,  received  a  mortal  wound,  and 
his  troops  gave  way  in  all  directions.  The 
efforts  made  to  rally  them  were  ineffectual, 
until  they  had  crossed  the  Monongahela,  when 
being  no  longer  pursued  by  the  enemy,  for  the 
Indians  were  stopped  by  the  plunder,  they 
halted,  and  were  again  formed.  The  general 
was  brought  off  in  a  small  tumbril  by  colonel 
Washington,  captain  Stewart  of  his  guards, 
and  his  servant.  Colonel  Washington  was 
immediately  dispatched  to  Dunbar's  camp,  to 
have  some  comfortable  provisions  prepared  for 
the  defeated  army,  which  place,  he  reached 
the  next  evening,  and  was  soon  followed  by 
the  remnant  of  the  troops.  On  their  arrival, 
all  the  stores,  except  those  necessary  for  im- 
mediate use,  were  destroyed.  General  Brad- 
dock  died  at  this  place,  and  colonel  Dunbar,  a 
short  time  afterwards,  marched  the  remaining  August. 
regular  troops  to  Philadelphia,  to  go  into  what 
he  termed  winter  quarters. 

*  Doctor  Craik. 
D2 


20  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  Colonel  Washington  was  greatly  disappointed 
1755.  and  disgusted  wiih  the  conduct  of  the  regular 
troops  on  this  occasion.  In  his  letter  to  lieu- 
tenant governor  Dinwiddie,  giving  an  account 
of  the  action,  he  says,  "they  were  struck  with 
such  an  inconceivable  panic,  that  nothing  but 
confusion  and  disobedience  of  orders  prevailed 
among  them.  The  officers  in  general  behaved 
with  incomparable  bravery,  for  which  they 
greatly  suffered,  there  being  upwards  of  sixty 
killed  and  wounded,  a  large  proportion  out  of 
what  we  had." 

"  The  Virginia  companies  behaved  like  men, 
and  died  like  soldiers;  for  I  believe,  out  of 
three  companies  on  the  ground  that  day,  scarce 
thirty  men  were  left  alive.  Captain  Peronny 
and  all  his  officers,  down  to  a  corporal,  were 
killed.  Captain  Poulson  had  almost  as  hard 
a  fate,  for  only  one  of  his  escaped.  In  short, 
the  dastardly  behaviour  of  the  regular  troops, 
(so  called)  exposed  those  who  were  inclined  to 
do  their  duty,  to  almost  certain  death  ;  and  at 
length,  in  spite  of  every  effort  to  the  contrary, 
they  broke,  and  ran  as  sheep  before  hounds, 
leaving  the  artillery,  ammunition,  provisions, 
baggage,  and  in  short  every  thing  a  prey  to  the 
enemy  ;  and  when  we  endeavoured  to  rally 
them,  in  hopes  of  regaining  the  ground,  and 
what  we  had  left  upon  it,  it  was  with  as  little 
success  as  if  we  had  attempted  to  have  stopped 
.  the  wild  bears  of  the  mountains,  or  the  rivulets 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  21 

with  our  feet;   for  they  would  break  by  in  spite   CHAP,  i. 
of  every  effort  to  prevent  it."*  1755. 

Colonel  Washington  had  for  some  time  been 
considered  as  the  pride  and  ornament  of  Vir- 
ginia, in  the  military  line,  and  his  reputation 
grew  with  every  occasion  for  exertion  which 
presented  itself.  His  conduct  in  this  battle  was 
universally  extolled,  and  the  common  opinion 
of  his  countrymen  was,  that,  had  his  advice 
been  pursued,  the  destruction  of  the  day  had 
been  avoided.  The  assembly,  which  was  in 
session  when  the  intelligence  of  this  defeat,  and 
of  the  abandonment  of  the  colony  by  colonel 
Dunbar,  was  received,  felt  the  necessity  of  levy- 
ing troops  for  their  defence  ;  and  it  was  deter- 
mined to  raise  a  regiment  to  consist  of  sixteen  August. 
companies.  The  command  of  this  regiment  is  appointed 
was  offered  to  colonel  Washington,  who  was command  of 

a  regiment. 

also  designated  in  his  commission,  as  the  com- 
mander in  chief  of  all  the  forces  raised  and  to 


*  In  another  letter  he  says  "  we  have  been  beaten, 
shamefully  beaten.. ..shamefully  beaten  by  a  handful  of 
men,  who  only  intended  to  molest  and  disturb  our  march  I 
Victory  was  their  smallest  expectation  !  But  see  the  won-' 
derous  works  of  Providence,  the  uncertainty  of  human 
things  !  We,  but  a  few  moments  before,  believed  out- 
numbers almost  equal  to  the  force  of  Canada  ;  they,  only 
expected  to  annoy  us.  Yet  contrary  to  all  expectation,  and 
human  probability,  and  even  to  the  common  course  of 
things,  we  were  totally  defeated,  and  have  sustained  the 
loss  of  every  thing." 


22  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.   be  raised  in  the  colony  of  Virginia,  and  had  the 
1755.    uncommon  privilege  of  naming  his  own  field 
officers. 

Retaining  still  his  prepossessions  in  favour  of 
4  a  military  life,  and  believing  that  he  might  now 
re-enter  the  service  Avithout  disgrace,  he  cheer- 
fully accepted  the  appointment  offered  him  by 
his  country. 

Having  made  all  the  necessary  arrangements 
for  the  recruiting  service,  he  set  out  himself 
to  visit  the  posts,   and  organize  the  remaining 
troops  of  Virginia,  who  were  dispersed  in  small 
parties  over  an  extensive  frontier.   These  posts 
were  put  in  the  best  state  of  defence  they  would 
admit  of,  particularly  by  tutting  down  and  re- 
moving the  trees  which  might  cover  an  enemy 
attacking  them.     Having  performed  this  duty 
he  set  out  for  Williamsburg,  in  order  to  ar- 
range with  the  lieutenant  governor,  the  future 
plan  of  operations  ;   and  to  impress,  as  well  on 
him,  as  on  the  leading  men  of  the  colony,  the 
vast  importance  of  devising  proper  means   to 
retain  the  few  Indians,  not  yet  detached  from 
the  interest  of  the  English    by  the   French ; 
the  necessity  of  a  more  effectual  militia  law ; 
and  of  an  act  to  establish  a  complete  system  of 
martial  law  among  the  troops  in  the  regular 
service.     While  on  the  way  he  was  overtaken 
below  Fredericksburg  by  an  express,  with  the 
intelligence,  that  a  large  number  of  French  and 
Indians,    divided   as  was    their  custom,    into 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  23 

several  parties,  had  broke  up  the  back  settle-   CHAP,  i. 
ments;    were  murdering  and  capturing  men,     1755. 
women,  and  children ;  burning  their  houses, 
and  destroying  their  crops.     The  troops  sta- 
tioned among  them  for  their  protection,  were 
unequal  to  that  duty  ;    and,  instead  of  being 
able  to  afford  the  aid  expected  from  them,  were 
themselves  blocked  up  in  their  forts. 

Colonel  Washington  hastened  back  to  Win-  Extreme 

.          distress  of 

,  Chester,  where  he  found  the  utmost  confusion  ^e  frontiers 

and  exertions 

•'•  and  alarm  prevailing.     He  endeavoured  to  raise  JsSJU 
the    militia,    and   to   lead    them    immediately  £ea^£ 

.,  i  ,.  .1      •     forces  of  the 

1  against  the  enemy ;  but  more  attentive  to  their  colony. 
particular  situation,  than  the  general  danger, 
they  could  not  be  prevailed  on  to  leave  their 
families.  The  back  inhabitants,  instead  of 
assembling  in  arms,  and  obtaining  safety  by 
meeting  the  enemy,  fled  into  the  lower  counr 
try,  and  increased  the  general  terror.  In  this 
state  of  things,  he  endeavoured  to  collect  and 
arm  the  men  who  had  abandoned  their  houses, 
and  to  remove  their  wives  and  children  to  a  dis- 
tance from  the  scene  of  desolation  and  carnage 
exhibited  on  the  frontiers ;  he  gave  too,  the 
most  pressing  orders  to  the  new  appointed 
officers,  of  whose  inattention  to  duty  he  greatly 
complained,  to  hasten  their  recruits ;  and  di- 
rected the  county  lieutenants,  below  the  Blue 
Ridge,  to  order  their  militia  immediately  to 
Winchester ;  but  before  these  orders  could  be 
executed,  the  party  which  had  done  so  much 


24  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.    mischief,  and  excited  such  alarm,    recrossed 

1755.  the  Alleghany  mountains  with  impunity.    The 
commander  in  chief,  who  was  under  the  ne- 
cessity of  attending  personally  to  every  depart- 
ment, was  for  some  time  incessantly  employed 
in  making  the  most  judicious  disposition  of  the 
recruits  for  the  protection  of  the  country,   in 
obtaining  for  them  the  necessary  supplies,  and 
in  establishing  the  general  principles  of  disci- 
pline,    especially    the   necessity    of  an   exact 
obedience  to  orders. 

1756.  Early  in  the  ensuing  spring,  the  enemy  in- 
Apri1'     vited  by  the  success  of  the  preceding  year,  made 

another  irruption  into  the  inhabited  country, 
and  did  great  mischief.  The  number  of  troops 
on  the  regular  establishment  was  totally  insuf- 
ficient for  the  protection  of  the  frontier,  and  it 
was  found  impracticable  to  obtain  effective 
service  from  the  militia.  The  Indians  divided 
into  small  parties,  concealed  themselves  with 
so  much  dexterity,  as  seldom  to  be  perceived 
until  the  blow  was  struck.  These  murders 
were  frequently  committed  in  the  very  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  forts,  and  the  detachments  from 
the  garrisons,  which  were  employed  in  scouring 
the  country  were  generally  eluded,  or  attacked 
to  advantage.  In  one  of  these  skirmishes,  im- 
mediately in  the  neighbourhood  of  a  stockade, 
the  Americans  were  totally  routed,  and  captain 
Mercer  killed.  Such  was  the  confidence  of  the 
enemy,  that  the  smaller  forts  were  very  fre- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  25 

quently  assaulted,  and  they  had  repeated  skir-  CHAP,  i. 
mishes  *  with  such  scouting  parties,  as  they  1756. 
fell  in  with.  The  people  either  abandoned  the 
country,  or  attempted  to  secure  themselves  in 
small  stockade  forts,  where  they  were  in  great 
distress  for  provisions,  arms,  and  ammunition; 
were  often  surrounded  and  sometimes  cut  off. 
With  this  state  of  things,  colonel  Washington 
was  deeply  affected.  "I  see  their  situation," 
said  he,  in  a  letter  to  the  lieutenant  governor, 
"I  know  their  danger,  and  participate  their 
sufferings,  without  having  it  in  my  power  to 
give  them  further  relief  than  uncertain  promises. 
In  short,  I  see  inevitable  destruction  in  so  clear 
a  light,  that,  unless  vigorous  measures  are 
taken  by  the  assembly,  and  speedy  assistance 
sent  from  below ;  the  poor  inhabitants  now  in 
forts  must  unavoidably  fall,  while  the  remainder 
are  flying  before  the  barbarous  foe.  In  fine, 
the  melancholy  situation  of  the  people,  the  little 
prospect  of  assistance,  the  gross  and  scandalous 


*  Tn  one  of  these  skirmishes,  mr.  Donville,  an  ensign 
in  the  French  service  was  killed,  and  in  his  pocket  were 
found  the  orders  given  him  by  Dumas,  the  commandant 
on  the  Ohio,  in  which  he  was  directed  to  pass  fort  Cum- 
berland, to  harass  the  convoys,  and,  if  possible,  to  burn 
the  magazines  at  Conogagees.  To  the  honour  of  Dumas, 
particular  instructions  were  given,  to  restrain  the  Indians 
as  far  as  should  be  in  his  power,  from  murdering  those 
who  should  fall  into  their  hands.  Unfortunately,  obedi- 
ence to  such  orders  could  seldom  be  enforced. 

VOL.  II.  E 


2£  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  abuses  cast  upon  the  officers  in  general,  which 
1756.  is  reflecting  on  me  in  particular,  for  suffering 
misconduct  of  such  extraordinary  kind,  and  the 
distant  prospect,  if  any,  of  gaining  reputation 
in  the  service ;  cause  me  to  lament  the  hour 
that  gave  me  a  commission,  and  would  induce 
me,  at  any  other  time  than  this  of  imminent 
danger,  to  resign,  without  one  hesitating  mo- 
ment, a  command,  from  which  I  never  expect 
to  reap  either  honour  or  benefit:  but  on  the 
contrary,  have^almost  an  absolute  certainty  of 
incurring  displeasure  below,  while  the  murder 
of  helpless  families  may  be  laid  to  my  account 
here. 

"  The  supplicating  tears  of  the  women,  and 
moving  petitions  of  the  men,  melt  me  with  such 
deadly  sorrow,  that  I  solemnly  declare,  if  I  know 
my  own  mind,  I  could  offer  myself  a  willing 
sacrifice  to  the  butchering  enemy,  provided 
that  would  contribute  to  the  people's  ease." 

Colonel  Washington  had  been  prevented  from 
taking  post  at  fort  Cumberland,  (the  extreme 
position  towards  the  enemy  held  by  the  Ameri- 
cans, where  the  largest  number  of  troops  were 
stationed,)  by  an  unfortunate  and  extraordinary 
difficulty,  growing  out  of  an  obscurity  in  the 
royal  orders,  respecting  the  relative  rank  of 
officers  commissioned  by  the  king,  and  those 
commissioned  by  his  governor.  A  captain 
Dag  worthy,  who  was  at  that  place,  and  of  the 
former  description,  insisted  on  taking  the  com- 
mand, although  it  had  been  committed  to  lieu- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  2' 

tenant  colonel  Stevens,  and,  on  the  same  prin-  CHAP.  i. 
ciple  contested  the  rank  of  colonel  Washington  1756. 
also.  He  was  at  this  distressing  time  at  Win- 
Chester,  where  there  -were  public  stores  to  a 
considerable  amount,  with  only  about  fifty  meu 
to  guard  them.  A  council  of  war  was  called  to 
determine,  whether  he  should,  at  the  head  of  this 
small  body,  march  to  some  of  the  nearest  forts, 
and  Smiting  with  their  petty  garrisons,  risk  an 
action  with  the  enemy;  or  wait  until  the  militia 
could  be  raised.  It  was  unanimously  advised 
to  continue  at  Winchester,  to  protect  the  public 
stores,  and  the  inhabitants  of  that  place.  Lord 
Fairfax,  who  commanded  the  militia  of  that  and 
the  adjacent  counties,  had  ordered  them  to  hrs 
assistance;  but  they  were  slow  in  turning  out; 
and  he  complained  that  three  days  unremitting 
exertion  in  Frederick  could  only  produce  twenty 
men. 

The  incompetency  of  the  military  force  to  the 
defence  of  the  country  had  become  so  obvious, 
that  the  assembly  determined  to  augment  the 
regiment  to  fifteen  hundred  men,  by  adding  to 
the  number  of  privates  in  each  company:  and 
as  it  had  become  apparently  impracticable  to 
complete  it  by  voluntary  enlistment,  orders 
were  given  to  draft  the  men  required,  out  of  the 
militia,  and  that  the  drafts  should  serve  until  the 
following  December. 

Colonel  Washington  urged  strongly  on  the 
house  of  burgesses,  in  a  letter  addressed  to 

E  2 


28  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.   their  speaker,  the  necessity  of  increasing  the 
1756.    regiment  still  further  to  two  thousand  men,  a 
less  number  than  which,  could  not  possibly,  in 
his  opinion,   be    sufficient  to  cover  the  very 
extensive  frontier  of  Virginia,  if  the  present 
defensive  system  should  be  adhered  to;   and  he 
expressed    his    apprehensions,    that    without 
artillery   and    engineers,    or   assistance    from 
Britain,    or  the  neighbouring  colonies,    they 
would  be  unable  to  act  offensively,  and  to  drive 
the  French  from  fort  du  Quesne,  which  was 
said  to  be  regularly  fortified.     To  demonstrate 
the  truth  of  the  proposition,  that  less  than  two 
thousand  men  could  afford  no  real  protection 
to  the  country,  he  drew  a  picture  of  their  actual 
situation,  and  stated  the  number  of  men  which 
would  be  necessary  to  garrison  the  chain  of 
forts,  which  must  be  indispensably  kept  up,  so 
long  as  the  French  maintained  their  position 
on  the  Ohio.     In  making  this  statement,  he 
observed  that,    with  the  exception  of  a  few 
inhabitants,  forted  in  on  the  south  branch  of 
Potowmack,    the   north  mountain   near  Win- 
chester,   had  become  the  frontier;     and  that 
without  effectual  aid,  the  inhabitants  would  even 
pass  the  Blue  Ridge.     He  also  recommended  a 
fort  at  Winchester,  and  that  the  regiment  should 
be  organized  into  two  battalions,  to  consist  of 
ten  companies  of  one  hundred  men  each.     His 
propositions,    except   that  for  increasing  the 
regiment  to  two  thousand  men,  were  generally 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  29 

acceded  to.  In  this  letter,  he  observed,  that  CHAP,  i. 
the  woods  seemed  "alive  with  French  and  1756. 
Indians,"  and  again  described  so  feelingly  the 
situation  of  the  inhabitants,  that  the  assembly 
requested  the  governor,  to  order  out  half  the 
militia  of  the  adjoining  counties  to  their  relief: 
and  the  attorney  general,  (mr.  Peyton  Randolph) 
formed  a  company  of  one  hundred  gentlemen, 
who  engaged  as  volunteers  to  make  the  cam- 
paign. Ten  well  trained  woodsmen,  or  Indians, 
would  have  rendered  more  service. 

The  distress  of  the  country  increased.  Win- 
chester, as  had  been  foreseen,  became  almost 
the  only  settlement  on  the  northern  frontier 
beyond  the  Blue  Ridge;  and  fears  were  enter- 
tained that  the  enemy  would  soon  pass  even 
those  mountains,  and  ravage  the  country  below 
them.  Express  after  express  was  sent  to  hasten 
the  militia,  but  sent  in  vain.  At  length,  laden 
with  plunder,  prisoners,  and  scalps,  the  French 
and  their  savage  allies  returned,  about  the  last 
of  April,  to  fort  du  Quesne. 

Some  short  time  after  the  retreat  of  the  enemy, 
the  militia  appeared  and  strengthened  the  dif- 
ferent posts.  The  country  was  now  searched, 
and  the  best  dispositions  made  to  repel  another 
invasion.  The  fort  at  Winchester  was  com- 
menced which,  in  honour  of  the  general,  who 
was  ordered  to  take  command  of  the  British 
troops  in  America,  was  called  fort  Loudoun; 
and  the  perpetual  remonstrances  of  colonel 


o  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.I    Washington  to  the  assembly,  were  at  length  so 
1756.    far  successful,  that  the  laws  for  the  government 
of  its  forces  were  rendered  rather  more  efficient. 

Instead  of  adopting  in  the  first  instance,  that 
military  code  which  experience  had  matured, 
occasional  acts  were  made  to  remedy  particular 
evils  as  they  occurred,  in  consequence  of  which 
a  state  of  insubordination  was  greatly  protracted, 
and  the  difficulties  of  the  commanding  officer 
increased.  Slight  penalties  were  at  first  annexed 
to  very  serious  military  offences,  and  when  at 
length  an  act  was  obtained  to  punish  mutiny 
and  desertion  with  death,  such  crimes,  as  cow- 
ardice in  action,  and  sleeping  on  a  post,  were 
pretermitted.  It  was  left  impossible  to  hold  a 
general  court  martial  without  an  order  from  the 
governor ;  and  the  commanding  officer  was  not 
at  liberty  to  make  those  arrangements  which 
his  own  observations  suggested,  but  was 
shackled  by  the  control  of  those,  who  could 
neither  judge  as  correctly,  nor  be  as  well 
informed  as  himself. 

These  errors  of  a  government  totally  unused 
to  war,  were  gradually,  but  not  entirely  cor- 
rected. 

The  militia  were  retained  in  service  until 
harvest,  and  then  discharged.  Successive  in- 
cursions into  the  country  were  made  by  small 
predatory  parties  of  French  and  Indians,  who 
murdered  the  defenceless  wherever  found,  and 
kept  up  a  continual  alarm.  In  Pennsylvania, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  31 

the  inhabitants  were  driven  as  far  as  Carlisle :  CHAP.  i. 
and  in  Maryland,  Fredericktown  on  the  eastern  1756. 
side  of  the  Blue  Ridge  became  a  frontier. 
With  all  the  exertions  which  had  been  made, 
the  Virginia  regiment  did  not  yet  amount  to  one 
thousand  men,  and  with  this  small  force,  aided 
occasionally  by  militia,  colonel  Washington  was 
to  defend  a  frontier  of  near  four  hundred  miles 
in  extent,  and  to  complete  a  chain  of  forts  which 
might  conduce  to  that  object.  He  repeatedly 
urged  the  necessity  and  propriety  of  abandoning 
fort  Cumberland,  which  was  too  far  in  advance 
of  the  settlements,  and  too  far  north  to  be 
useful ;  while  it  required  for  its  defence  a  larger 
portion  of  his  force  than  could  be  spared,  with 
a  proper  regard  to  the  safety  of  other  more  ad- 
vantageous positions.  The  governor,  however, 
thought  it  improper  to  abandon  it,  since  it  was 
a  king's  fort ;  and  lord  Loudoun,  on  being  con- 
sulted, gave  the  same  opinion. 

Among  the  subjects  of  extreme  chagrin  to 
the  commander  of  the  Virginia  troops,  was  the 
practice  of  desertion.  It  had  become  very  pre- 
valent, and  was  in  a  considerable  degree  ascribed 
to  the  too  great,  and  ill  judged  parsimony  of 
the  assembly.  Only  eight  pence  per  day  was 
allowed  to  the  soldiers,  out  of  which  two  pence 
were  stopped  for  their  cloaths.  This  pay  was 
inferior  to  what  was  allowed  on  every  other  part 
of  the  continent;  and  as  ought  to  have  been 
foreseen,  great  discontents  were  excited  by  a 
distinction  so  very  invidious.  The  remon- 


32  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  strances  of  the  commanding  officer,  who  pos- 
1756.  sessed  great  and  deserved  influence,  at  length, 
in  some  degree  corrected  this  mischief,  and  a 
full  suit  of  regimentals  was  allowed  without 
deducting  its  price  from  the  daily  pay  of  the 
soldier. 

This  campaign  furnishes  no  event  which  can 
interest  the  reader,  or  adorn  the  page  of  history : 
yet  the  duties  of  the  officer,  though  minute, 
were  arduous;  and  the  sufferings  of  the  people, 
beyond  measure  afflicting.  It  adds  one  to  the 
many  evidences  which  have  been  afforded,  of1" 
the  miseries  to  be  suffered  by  those  who  defer 
preparing  the  means  of  defence,  until  the  mo- 
ment when  they  ought  to  be  efficiently  used ;  and 
then,  rely  almost  entirely  on  a  force,  neither 
adequate  to  the  danger,  nor  of  equal  continuance 
with  it. 

It  is  also  an  interesting  fact  to  those  who  know 
the  present  situation  of  Virginia,  and  the  active 
force  she  could  now  employ,  that  so  lately  as 
in  the  year  1756,  the  Blue  Ridge  had  become 
her  frontier,  and  that  she  found  immense  diffi- 
culty in  completing  a  single  regiment  to  protect 
the  inhabitants  from  the  horrors  of  the  scalping 
knife,  and  the  still  greater  horrors  of  being  led 
into  captivity,  by  Indians,  who  too  often  inflicted 
death  by  torture. 

As  soon  as  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  had 
withdrawn  from  the  settlements,  a  tour  was 
made  by  colonel  Washington  to  the  southwes- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  33 

tern  frontier,  in  order  to  examine  in  person  the  CHAP,  i. 
state  of  things  in  that  quarter.     There,  as  well    1756. 
as  to  the  north,  continued  incursions  were  made, 
and  murders  committed;   and  there  too,  the 
principal  defence  of  the  country  was  intrusted 
to  an  ill  regulated  militia.     The  fatal  conse- 
quences of  this  system  are  thus  stated  by  him 
in  a  letter  to  the  lieutenant  governor.     "  The 
inhabitants  are  so  sensible  of  their  danger  if  left 
to  the  protection  of  these  people,  that  not  a  man 
will  stay  at  his  place.     This  I  have  from  their 
own  mouths,  and  the  principal  inhabitants  of 
Augusta  county.     The  militia  are  under  such 
bad  order  and  discipline,  that  they  will  come 
and  go  when  and  where  they  please,  without 
regarding  time,  their  officers,  or  the  safety  of 
the  inhabitants :  but  consulting  solely  their  own 
inclinations.     There  should  be,  according  to 
your  honour's  orders,  one  third  of  the  militia  of 
these  parts  on  duty,  at  a  time.    Instead  of  that, 
scarce  one  thirtieth  is  out.    They  are  to  be  re- 
lieved every  month,  and  they  are  a  great  part 
of  that  time  marching  to  and  from  their  stations ; 
and  they  will  not  wait  one  day  longer  than  the 
limited  time,  whether  relieved  or  not,  however 
urgent  the  necessity  for  their  continuance  may 
be."     Some  instances  of  this  and  of  gross  mis- 
behaviour were  then  enumerated,  after  which, 
he  pressed  the  necessity  of  increasing  the  num.- 
ber  of  regulars  to  two  thousand  men. 

VOL.   II.  F 


34  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  After  returning  from  this  tour  to  Winchester, 
1756.  he  gave  the  lieutenant  governor  a  statement  of 
the  situation  in  which  he  found  the  country, 
which  ought  not  to  be  omitted.  "  From  fort 
Trial,"  said  he,  "  on  Smith's  river,  I  returned 
to  fort  William  on  the  Catawba,  where  I  met 
colonel  Buchanan  with  about  thirty  men,  chiefly 
officers,  to  conduct  me  up  Jackson's  river  along 
the  range  of  forts.  With  this  small  company 
of  irregulars,  with  whom  order,  regularity, 
circumspection,  and  vigilance,  were  matters  of 
derision  and  contempt;  we  set  out,  and  by  the 
protection  of  Providence,  reached  Augusta 
court  house  in  seven  days,  without  meeting  the 
enemy;  otherwise,  we  must  have  been  sacri- 
ficed by  the  indiscretion  of  these  whooping, 
hallooing,  gentlemen  soldiers.  This  jaunt 
afforded  me  great  opportunity  of  seeing  the  bad 
regulation  of  the  militia,  the  disorderly  pro- 
ceedings of  the  garrisons,  and  the  unhappy 
circumstances  of  the  inhabitants. 

"  First  of  the  militia.  The  difficulty  of  col- 
lecting them  on  any  emergency  whatever,  I 
have  spoken  of  as  grievous  :  and  appeal  to  sad 
experience  both  in  this,  and  other  countries,  to 
attest  how  great  a  disadvantage  it  is  ;  the  enemy 
having  every  opportunity  to  plunder,  kill,  and 
escape,  before  they  can  afford  any  assistance. 
And,  not  to  mention  the  general  expensiveness 
of  their  service,  I  can  instance  several  cases 
where  a  captain,  lieutenant,  and,  I  may  add, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  35 

an  ensiffn,  with  two  or  three  sergeants,  have  CHAP,  i. 
gone  upon  duty  with  only  six  or  eight  men.  1756. 
The  proportion  of  expense  in  this  case  is  so 
unjust  and  obvious,  that  your  honour  cannot 
want  it  to  be  proved.  Then,  these  men  when 
raised,  are  to  be  continued  only  one  month  on 
duty,  half  of  which  time  is  lost  in  marching 
out  and  returning.  Those  from  the  adjacent 
counties  especially,  must  be  on  duty  some  time 
before  they  reach  their  stations.  By  these 
means,  double  sets  of  men  are  in  pay  at  the 
same  time,  and  for  the  same  service. 

"Again.  The  waste  of  provisions  they  make 
is  unaccountable.  No  method,  or  order  is 
observed  in  serving  it  out  to  them,  or  in  pur- 
chasing it  at  the  best  rates;  but  quite  the 
reverse.  Allowance  to  each  man,  as  to  other 
soldiers,  they  look  upon  as  the  highest  indig- 
nity ;  and  would  sooner  starve  than  carry  a  few 
days  provisions  on  their  backs  for  convenience, 
but  upon  their  march,  when  breakfast  is  wanted, 
they  knock  down  the  first  beef  or  other  animal 
they  meet  with,  and  after  regaling  upon  it, 
march  on  until  dinner,  when  they  take  the  same 
method,  and  so  for  supper  likewise,  to  the  great 
oppression  of  the  people.  Or  if  they  chance  to 
impress  cattle  for  provision,  the  valuation  is 
left  to  neighbours,  who  have  themselves  suf- 
fered by  those  practices,  and,  despairing  of 
their  pay,  exact  high  prices.  Thus  the  public 
is  imposed  upon  at  all  events. 

F  2 


36  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  '  I  might  add,  I  believe,  that  for  the  want 
1756.  of  proper  laws  to  govern  the  militia,  (for  I  can- 
not ascribe  it  to  any  other  cause)  they  are 
obstinate,  self-willed,  perverse,  of  little  or  no 
service  to  the  people,  and  very  burdensome  to 
the  country.  Every  mean  individual  has  his 
own  crude  notion  of  things,  and  must  under- 
take to  direct.  If  his  advice  is  neglected,  he 
thinks  himself  slighted,  abased,  and  injured, 
and  to  redress  his  wrongs,  will  depart  for  his 
home. 

"  These,  sir,  are  literally  matters  of  fact, 
partly  from  persons  of  undoubted  veracity,  but 
chiefly  from  my  own  observations. 

"  Secondly,  concerning  the  garrisons.  I 
found  them  very  weak  from  want  of  men,  but 
more  so  from  indolence,  and  irregularity.  I  saw 
none  in  a  posture  of  defence,  and  few  that  might 
not  be  surprised  with  the  greatest  ease.  An 
instance  of  this  appeared  at  Dickenson's  fort, 
where  the  Indians  ran  down,  caught  several 
children  that  were  playing  under  the  walls,  and 
had  got  to  the  gate  before  they  were  discovered. 
Was  not  Vass's  fort  surprised,  and  a  good  many 
souls  lost  in  the  same  manner  ?  they  keep  no 
guards  but  just  when  the  enemy  is  about,  and 
they  are  under  fearful  apprehensions  of  them  j 
nor  ever  stir  out  of  the  forts,  from  the  time  they 
reach  them,  until  relieved  at  the  expiration  of 
their  month,  at  which  time  they  march  off,  be 
the  consequence  what  it  may.  So  that  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  37 

enemy  may  ravage  the  country  and  they  not  CHAP,  i. 
the  wiser.  Of  the  ammunition,  they  are  as  irse. 
careless  as  of  the  provisions,  firing  it  away  fre- 
quently at  targets  for  wagers.  On  our  journey, 
as  we  approached  one  of  the  forts,  we  heard  a 
quick  fire  for  several  minutes ;  and,  concluding 
certainly  that  they  were  attacked,  we  marched 
in  the  best  manner  to  their  relief;  but  when  we 
rcame  up  we  found  them  diverting  themselves 
at  marks.  These  men  afford  no  assistance  to 
the  unhappy  settlers,  driven  from  their  planta- 
tions, either  in  securing  their  harvests,  or 
gathering  their  corn.  Of  the  many  forts  I 
passed  by  there  was  but  one  or  two  where  the 
captain  was  at  his  post.  They  were  generally 
absent  on  their  own  business,  and  had  given 
leave  to  several  of  their  men  to  be  absent  like- 
wise ;  yet  these  persons,  I  will  venture  to  say, 
will  charge  the  country  their  full  month's  pay. 
' '  Thirdly.  The  wretched  and  unhappy  situa- 
tion of  the  inhabitants  needs  but  a  few  words, 
after  a  slight  reflection  on  the  preceding  circum- 
stances, which,  without  speedy  redress,  must 
necessarily  draw  after  them  very  melancholy 
consequences.  They  are  truly  sensible  of  their 
misery.  They  feel  their  insecurity  while 
depending  upon  militia,  who  are  slow  in  co*hiing 
to  their  assistance,  indifferent  about  their  pre- 
servation, unwilling  to  continue,  and  regardless 
of  every  thing  but  their  own  ease.  In  short, 
they  are  so  affected  by  approaching  ruin,  that  the 


3Q  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  whole  back  country  is  in  a  general  motion 
1756.  towards  the  southern  colonies,  and  I  expect  that 
scarce  a  family  will  inhabit  Frederick,  Hamp- 
shire, or  Augusta,  in  a  little  time.  They  peti- 
tioned me  in  the  most  earnest  manner  for  com- 
panies of  the  regiment;  but,  alas,  it  is  not  in  my 
power  to  furnish  them  with  any,  without  leaving 
this  dangerous  quarter  more  exposed  than  they 
are.  I  promised,  at  their  particular  request,  to 
address  your  honour  and  the  assembly  on  their 
behalf,  and  to  solicit  that  a  regular  force  may  be 
established  in  lieu  of  the  militia  and  ranging 
companies,  which  are  of  much  less  service, 
and  infinitely  more  expensive  to  the  country.'* 
Colonel  Washington  had  become  so  sensible 
of  the  absolute  impracticability  of  defending 
such  an  extensive  frontier,  as  to  be  extremely 
anxious  to  be  enabled  to  act  on  the  offensive. 
His  opinions  now  w^ere  decided,  that  the  people 
of  Virginia  could  only  be  protected  by  entering 
the  country  of  the  enemy,  by  giving  him  em- 
ployment at  home,  and  removing,  if  possible, 
the  source  of  all  their  calamities,  by  driving 
the  French  from  fort  du  Quesne.  While  they 
held  that  post,  the  great  Indian  force  they  were 
enabled  by  their  ascendancy  over  those  people 
to  bring  into  action,  would  always  put  it  in 
their  power  to  annoy,  and  infinitely  to  distress 
the  frontiers ;  perhaps  indeed  to  acquire  the 
possession  of  the  whole  country  to  the  Blue 
Ridge.  It  was  now  therefore  the  object  nearest 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  39 

his  heart,  to  stimulate  the  assembly  to  such  CHAP.I. 
exertions,  as  would,  with  some  aid  from  the     1756. 
commander  in  chief  of  all  his  majesty's  troops 
in  America,  bring  into  the  field  a  sufficient  force, 
to  warrant  an  expedition  against  du  Quesne. 

"  As  defensive  measures,"  he  observed  in  a 
letter  to  the  lieutenant  governor,  "  are  evidently 
insufficient  for  the  security  and  safety  of  the 
country,  I  hope  no  arguments  are  necessary  to 
evince  the  necessity  of  altering  them  to  a  vigor- 
ous  offensive  war,  in  order  to  remove  the  cause." 
But  in  the  event  that  the  assembly  should  still 
indulge  that  favourite  scheme  of  protecting  the 
inhabitants  by  forts  along  the  frontiers,  he  pre- 
sented to  the  governor  a  plan  which  he  recom- 
mended for  his  approbation,  and  which  in  its 
execution  required  two  thousand  men.  These 
were  to  be  distributed  in  twenty-two  forts, 
extending  from  the  river  Mayo  to  the  Potow-  • 

mack,  in  a  line  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  miles. 
In  a  letter  written  about  the  same  time  to  the 
speaker  of  the  assembly,  he  urged  with  great 
force  the  objections  to  a  reliance  on  the  militia, 
even  if  the  present  defensive  system  should  be 
persevered  in ;  but  he  gave  his  unequivocal 
preference  to  more  vigorous  measures.  "  The 
certainty  of  advantage,"  said  he,  "by  an  offen- 
sive scheme  of  action,  renders  it,  beyond  any 
doubt,  much  preferable  to  our  defensive  mea- 
sures. To  prove  this  to  you,  sir,  requires,  I 
presume,  no  arguments.  Our  scattered  force, 


40  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  so  separated  and  dispersed  in  weak  parties,  avails 
1756.  little  to  stop  the  secret  incursions  of  the  savages. 
We  can  only  perhaps  put  them  to  flight,  or 
frighten  them  to  some  other  part  of  the  country, 
which  answers  not  the  end  proposed.  Whereas, 
had  we  strength  enough  to  invade  their  lands, 
and  assault  their  towns,  we  should  restrain  them 
from  coming  abroad,  and  leaving  their  families 
exposed.  We  should  then  remove  the  principal 
cause,  and  have  stronger  probability  of  suc- 
cess; we  should  be  free  from  the  many  alarms, 
mischiefs,  and  murders,  that  now  attend  us; 
we  should  inspirit  the  hearts  of  our  few  Indian 
friends,  and  e:ain  more  esteem  with  them.  In 

o  • 

short,  could  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  be 
induced  to  join  us  in  an  expedition  of  this 
nature,  and  to  petition  his  excellency  lord 
Loudoun  for  a  small  train  of  artillery  with 
some  engineers,  we  should  then  be  able,  in  all 
human  probability,  to  subdue  the  terror  of  fort 
du  Quesrie,  retrieve  our  character  with  the 
Indians,  and  restore  peace  to  our  unhappy 
frontiers." 

In  the  apprehension,  however,  that  this 
favourite  scheme  would  not  be  adopted,  he 
recommended  by  a  variety  of  arguments  and 
observations,  manifesting  its  propriety,  the 
same  plan  of  defence  which  had  been  submitted 
to  the  lieutenant  governor. 

The  total  inability  of  colonel  Washington  to 
act  offensively  against  the  enemy,  or  even  to. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  41 

afford  protection  to  the  frontiers  of  Virginia,  was  CHAP,  i. 
not  the  only  distressing  and  vexatious  circum-  1756. 
stance  attending  his  situation.  The  lieutenant 
governor,  to  whose  commands  he  was  in  every 
minute  circumstance  subjected,  and  who  seems 
to  have  been  a  weak,  obstinate,  and  rude  man, 
without  just  conceptions  of  the  situation  or  real 
interests  of  the  colony,  frequently  deranged 
his  systems  by  orders  which  could  not  be 
'executed  without  considerable  hazard  and  in- 
convenience. He  could  not  always  restrain  his 
chagrin  on  such  occasions,  and  on  one  of  them, 
he  observed  in  a  letter  to  an  intimate  friend, 
and  a  very  influential  character,  "  whence  it 
arises,  or  why,  I  am  truly  ignorant,  but  my 
strongest  representations  of  matters  relative 
to  the  peace  of  the  frontiers  are  disregarded 
as  idle  and  frivolous ;  my  propositions  and 
measures,  as  partial  and  selfish  ;  and  all  my 
sincerest  endeavours  for  the  service  of  my 
country,  perverted  to  the  worst  purposes.  My 
orders  are  dark,  doubtful,  and  uncertain.  To 
day  approved,  to-morrow  condemned;  left  to 
act  and  proceed  at  hazard  ;  accountable  for  the 
consequences,  and  blamed  without  the  benefit 
of  defence.  If  you  can  think  my  situation 
capable  of  exciting  the  smallest  degree  of 
envy,  or  of  affording  the  least  satisfaction, 
the  truth  is  yet  hid  from  you,  and  you  entertain 
notions  very  different  from  the  reality  of  the 
case.  However,  I  am  determined  to  bear  up 

VOL.   II.  G 


42  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.    under   all   these   embarrassments,   some  time 
1756.    longer,  in  the  hope  of  better  regulations  under 
lord  Loudoun,  to  whom  I  look  for  the  future 
fate  of  Virginia." 

Not  long  after  this  letter  was  written,  lord 
Loudoun  arrived  in  Virginia,  and  in  addition 
to  his  character  as  commander  in   chief,    he 
was  clothed   with  the  highest  civil  authority, 
having  been  appointed  governor  of  the  colony. 
A  complimentary  address  from  the  regiment, 
stating  their  pleasure  at  his  arrival  and  appoint- 
ment, and  the  readiness  with  which  they  would 
execute  his  commands,  was  presented  to  him; 
and  a  very   comprehensive  statement   of  the 
situation  of  the  colony  in  a  military  point  of 
view,  and  of  the  regiment  in  particular,  was 
drawn  up  and  submitted  to  him   by  colonel 
Washington.  In  this,  he  enumerated  the  errors 
which   had   prevented  the  completion  of  his 
regiment,    showed    the    insufficiency   of    the 
militia,  and  demonstrated  the  superiority  of  an 
offensive    over  the    defensive   systems   which 
had  been  pursued.     After  stating  the  particular 
situation  of  the  forts,  he  proceeded-to  say,  "  it 
will  evidently  appear  from  the  whole  tenor  of  my 
conduct,  but  more  especially  from  my  reiterated 
representations,  how  strongly  I  have  urged  the 
governor    and  assembly   to    pursue    different 
measures,  and  laboured  to  convince  them  by 
all  the  reasoning  I  was  capable  of  offering,  of 
the  impossibility  of  covering  so  extensive  a 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  43 

frontier  from  Indian  incursions,  without  more   CHAP,  i. 
force    than    Virginia    can    maintain.     I   have     1757. 
endeavoured    to    demonstrate    that    it    would 
require  fewer  men  to  remove  the  cause,  than 
to  prevent  the  effects  while  the  cause  exists." 

Proceeding  then  to  state  the  services  of  his 
regiment,  he  added,  that  under  the  disadvan- 
tageous restraints  which  had  been  enumerated, 
.he  must  be  permitted  to  observe,  that  the 
regiment  had  not  been  inactive.  "  On  the 
contrary,"  he  said,  "  it  has  performed  a  vast 
deal  of  work,  and  has  been  very  alert  in  defend- 
ing the  people,  which  will  appear  by  observing, 
that  notwithstanding  we  are  more  contiguous 
to  the  French  and  their  Indian  allies,  and  more 
exposed  to  their  frequent  incursions  than  any 
of  the  neighbouring  colonies ;  we  have  not 
lost  half  the  inhabitants  which  others  have 
done,  but  considerably  more  soldiers  in  their 
defence.  For,  in  the  course  of  this  campaign, 
since  March  I  mean,  as  we  have  had  but  one 
constant  campaign,  one  continued  scene  of 
action  since  we  .first  entered  the  service,  our 
troops  have  been  engaged  in  upwards  of  twenty 
skirmishes,  and  we  have  had  near  one  hundred 
men  killed  and  wounded." 

After  condemning  the  ill  judged  economy 
shown  in  raising  men,  he  proceeded  thus  to 
describe  the  prevailing  temper  of  the  day,  a 
temper  by  no  means  peculiar  to  that  particular 

G  2 


44  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  era.  "  We  are  either  insensible  of  danger 
1757.  until  it  breaks  upon  our  heads  ;  or  else,  through 
mistaken  notions  of  economy,  evade  the 
expense  until  the  blow  is  struck,  and  then  run 
into  an  extreme  of  raising  militia.  These,  after 
an  age  as  it  were,  is  spent  in  assembling  them, 
come  up,  make  a  noise  for  a  time,  oppress  the 
inhabitants,  and  then  return,  leaving  the  fron- 
tiers unguarded  as  before.  This  is  still  our 
reliance,  notwithstanding  former  experience 
convinces  us,  if  reason  did  not,  that  the  French 
and  Indians  are  watching  the  opportunity  when 
we  shall  be  lulled  into  fatal  security,  and  un- 
prepared to  resist  an  attack,  to  invade  the  coun- 
try, and  by  ravaging  one  part,  terrify  another ; 
that  they  retreat  when  our  militia  assemble,  and 
repeat  the  stroke  as  soon  as  they  are  dispersed; 
that  they  send  down  parties  in  the  intermediate 
time  to  discover  our  motions,  procure  intelli- 
gence, and  sometimes  to  divert  the  troops. 
Such  an  invasion  we  may  expect  in  March,  if 
measures  to  prevent  it  are  neglected  as  they 
hitherto  have  been." 

This  statement  was  probably  presented  by 
colonel  Washington  in  person,  who  was  per- 
mitted, during  the  winter,  to  visit  lord  Loudoun 
in  Philadelphia,  where  that  nobleman  met  the 
governors  of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and 
North  Carolina,  and  the  lieutenant  governor  of 
Virginia,  in  order  to  consult  with  them  on  the 
measures  to  be  taken  in  their  respective  pro- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  45 

vinces,  for  the  ensuing  campaign.  He  was,  CHAP.  i. 
however,  disappointed  in  his  favourite  hope  of  1757. 
being  enabled  to  act  offensively  against theFrench 
on  the  Ohio.  Lord  Loudoun  had  determined  to 
direct  all  his  efforts  against  the  enemy  in  the 
northern  parts  of  the  continent,  and  to  leave  in 
aid  of  the  middle  and  southern  colonies  only 
twelve  hundred  men.  Instead  of  receiving 
assistance,  Virginia  was  required  to  send  four 
hundred  men  to  the  aid  of  South  Carolina:  yet 
colonel  Washington  continued  indefatigable  in 
his  endeavours  to  impress  on  mr.  Dinwiddie, 
and  on  the  assembly,  the  importance  of  reviving 
and  properly  modifying  their  military  code, 
which  had  now  expired,  of  making  a  more 
efficient  militia  law,  and  of  increasing  their 
number  of  regular  troops. 

So  far  from  succeeding  on  the  last  subject, 
he  had  the  mortification  to  witness  a  measure 
which  completely  crushed  his  hopes  of  an 
efficient  regular  force.  Being  unable  to  com- 
plete the  regiment  according  to  its  late  estab- 
lishment by  voluntary  enlistment,  the  assembly  wi^ 
changed  its  organization,  and  reduced  it  to  ten 
companies,  each  to  consist  of  one  hundred  men: 
yet  his  anxious  wishes  continued  to  be  directed 
towards  fort  du  Quesne,  which  he  very  justly- 
considered  as  the  source,  from  whence  had 
flowed  all  the  miseries  with  which  his  distressed 
country  had  been  deluged.  He  still  laboured 
to  impress  on  the  officer  commanding  the  British 


(J  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  troops,  opinions  he  deemed  so  essential  to  the 
1757.  proper  conduct  of  the  war,  as  well  as  the  safety 
of  his  own  country.  In  a  letter  written  about  this 
time  to  colonel  Stanwix,  who  commanded  in 
May  28.  the  middle  colonies,  he  says,  "  you  will  excuse 
~  me,  sir,  for  saying,  that  I  think  there  never 
was,  and  perhaps  never  again  will  be,  so  favour- 
able an  opportunity  as  the  present,  for  reducing 
fort  du  Quesne.  Several  prisoners  have  made 
their  escape  from  the  Ohio  this  spring,  and 
agree  in  their  accounts  that  there  are  but  three 
hundred  men  left  in  the  garrison ;  and  I  do  not 
conceive  that  the  French  are  so  strong  in  Canada, 
as  to  re-enforce  this  place,  and  defend  them- 
selves at  home,  this  campaign :  surely  then,  this 
is  too  precious  an  opportunity  to  be  lost." 

But  mr.  Pitt,  although  minister  from  No- 
vember 1756  to  April  1757,  did  not  yet 
direct  the  councils  of  Britain,  and  the  spirit  of 
enterprise  and  heroism  had  not  yet  animated  her 
generals.  The  campaign  to  the  north  was 
inglorious  ;  and  to  the  westward,  nothing  was 
even  attempted  which  might  relieve  the  middle 
colonies. 

The  pressure  on  Canada  did  not  equal  the 
hopes  which  had  been  entertained  on  that  sub- 
ject, and  consequently  its  effects  were  not  such 
as  to  prevent  the  French  from  re-enforcing  their 
June,  forts  on  the  Ohio.  Some  prisoners  taken  in  a 
skirmish  on  Turtle  creek,  gave  the  information 
that  the  garrison  of  fort  du  Quesne  now  con- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  47 

sisted  of  six  hundred  French  and  three  hundred   CHAP,  i. 
Indians.  1757. 

Large  bodies  of  savages,  independent  of  the 
garrison,  were  in  the  service  of  France,  and  in 
the  course  of  this  campaign,  once  more  spread 
desolation  and  murder  over  the  wkole  country 
west  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  The  utmost  possible 
exertions  were  made  by  the  Virginia  regiment 
to  protect  the  inhabitants,  but  it  was  impossible. 
The  force  was  inadequate  to  the  object,  and  it 
became  every  day  more  and  more  apparent, 
that  this  defensive  mode  of  conducting  the  war, 
by  covering  an  immense  frontier  with  a  small 
scattered  regular  force,  and  occasional  aid  from 
the  militia,  was  most  injudiciously  chosen. 
Vast  numbers  of  the  people  were  killed,  and 
the  parties  sent  out  to  fight  the  enemy  were 
often  overpowered.  "  I  exert  every  means," 
says  colonel  Washington,  to  governor  Din- 
widdie,  "  to  protect  a  much  distressed  country, 
but  it  is  a  task  too  arduous !  to  think  of  de-  October  &. 
fending  a  frontier  of  more  than  three  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  extent,  as  ours  is,  with  only 
seven  hundred  men  is  vain  and  idle;  especially 
when  that  frontier  lies  more  contiguous  to  the 
enemy  than  any  other. 

"  I  am,  and  have  for  a  long  time  been,  fully 
convinced  that,  if  we  continue  to  pursue  a  de- 
fensive plan,  the  country  must  be  inevitably 
lost." 


48  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.        In  another  letter  to  the  lieutenant  governor, 
1757.    he  says,   "  the  raising  a  company  of  rangers, 

October  24.  or  augmenting  our  strength  in  some  other 
manner  is  so  far  necessary  that,  without  it,  the 
remaining  inhabitants  of  this  once  fertile  and  po- 
pulous valley,  will  scarcely  be  detained  at  their 
dwellings  until  the  spring.  And  if  there  is 
no  expedition  to  the  westward  then,  nor  a  force 
more  considerable  than  Virginia  can  support, 
posted  on  our  frontiers;  if  we  still  adhere  for 
the  next  campaign  to  our  destructive  defensive 
schemes ;  there  will  not,  I  dare  affirm,  be  one 
soul  living  on  this  side  the  Blue  Ridge  the 
ensuing  autumn,  if  we  except  the  troops  in 
garrison,  and  a  few  inhabitants  of  this  town,  who 
may  shelter  themselves  under  the  protection  of 
this  fort.  This  I  know  to  be  the  immovable 
determination  of  all  the  settlers  of  this  country." 
In  a  letter  to  the  speaker  of  the  assembly, 
he  gave  the  same  opinion,  and  added,  "  I  do 
not  know  on  whom  these  miserable  undone 
people  are  to  rely  for  protection.  If  the  assem- 
bly are  to  give  it  to  them,  it  is  time  that  mea- 
sures were,  at  least,  concerting,  and  not  when 
they  ought  to  be  going  into  execution,  as  has 
always  been  the  case.  If  they  are  to  seek  it 
from  the  commander  in  chief,  it  is  time  their 
condition  was  made  known  to  them.  For 
I  cannot  forbear  repeating  again,  that  while  we 
pursue  defensive  measures,  we  pursue  inevitable 
ruin :  the  loss  of  the  country  being  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  49 

inevitable  and  fatal  consequence  of  them.  CHAP.I. 
There  will  be  no  end  to  our  troubles  while  we  1757. 
follow  this  plan,  and  every  year  will  increase 
our  expense.  It  is  not  possible  for  me  to  con- 
vey a  just  sense  of  the  posture  of  our  affairs  ; 
it  would  be  vanity  to  attempt  it.  I  therefore 
content  myself  with  entreating  you  to  use  your 
influence  to  prevent  such  delays  as  we  have 
hitherto  met  with,  if  you  think  this  affair 
depends  on  the  assembly;  if  you  think  the 
assembly  have  done  all  in  their  power,  and  that 
recourse  must  be  had  elsewhere,  I  am  deter- 
mined, as  I  will  neither  spare  cost  or  pains,  to 
apply  to  colonel  Stanwix  who  commands  on 
this  quarter,  with  whom  I  am  acquainted,  and 
from  whom  I  have  received  several  kind  and 
affectionate  letters,  for  leave  to  wait  on  him 
with  an  account  of  our  circumstances.  Through 
this  means  perhaps,  we  may  be  able  to  draw  a 
little  of  lord  Loudoun's  attention  to  the  preser- 
vation of  these  colonies."  Again  writing  to 
the  lieutenant  governor,  he  says,  "the  last 
alarm  occasioned  a  great  many  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  country  to  go  off.  Vast  numbers 
are  still  moving.  I  fear  that  in  a  short  time, 
this  very  valuable  valley  will  be  in  a  great 
measure  depopulated.  I  am  quite  at  a  loss  to 
devise  what  further  steps  to  take,  and  how  to 
obviate  so  great  a  misfortune,  as  I  have  hitherto 
neglected  nothing  in  the  compass  of  my  power. 
It  is  very  evident  that  nothing  but  vigorous 

VOL.    II.  H 


50  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  T.    offensive  measures,  next  campaign,  can  save 
1757.    the  country,  at  least  all  west  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
from  inevitable  desolation." 

It  was  impossible  for  colonel  Washington, 
zealous  as  he  was  in  the  service  of  his  country, 
and  ambitious  as  he  was  of  military  fame,  to 
observe  the  errors  committed  in  the  conduct 
of  the  war,  without  censuring  and  complaining 
of  them.  These  errors  were  not  confined  to 
the  arrangements  respecting  the  military  force 
of  the  colony.  The  Cherokees  and  Catawba 
Indians  had  hitherto  remained  faithful  to  the 
English,  and  it  was  extremely  desirable  to 
engage  the  warriors  of  those  tribes  heartily  in 
their  service.  Yet  so  miserably  was  this 
business  conducted  that,  though  a  considerable 
expense  wras  incurred,  very  little  assistance 
was  obtained,  and  very  great  disgust  excited 
among  them.  The  freedom  with  which  colonel 
Washington  censured  the  measures  adopted, 
gave  offence  to  the  governor,  who  considered 
these  censures  as  manifesting  a  want  of  respect 
for  himself.  He  sometimes  coarsely  termed 
them  impertinent,  and  at  others  charged  him 
with  looseness  in  his  information,  and  inatten- 
tion to  his  duty.  On  one  of  these  occasions, 
August  27.  colonel  Washington  thus  concluded  a  letter  of 
detail;  "Nothing  remarkable  has  happened, 
and  therefore  I  have  nothing  to  add.  I  must 
beg  leave,  however,  before  I  conclude,  to 
observe,  in  justification  of  my  own  conduct, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  51 

that  it  is  with  pleasure  I  receive  reproof  when  CHAP,  i. 
reproof  is  due,  because  no  person  can  be  1757. 
readier  to  accuse  me  than  I  am  to  acknowledge 
an  error,  when  I  have  committed  it ;  nor  more 
desirous  of  atoning  for  a  crime,  when  I  am 
sensible  of  being  guilty  of  one.  But,  on  the 
other  hand,  it  is  with  concern  I  remark,  that 
my  best  endeavours  lose  their  reward,  and  that 
my  conduct,  although  I  have  uniformly  studied 
to  make  it  as  unexceptionable  as  I  could,  does 
not  appear  to  you  in  a  favourable  point  of  light. 
Otherwise,  your  honour  would  not  have  ac- 
cused me  of  loose  behaviour,  and  remissness  of 
duty,  in  matters  where,  I  think,  I  have  rather 
exceeded,  than  fallen  short  of  it.  This,  I  think, 
is  evidently  the  case  in  speaking  of  Indian 
affairs  at  all,  after  being  instructed  in  very 
express  terms  ''Not  to  have  any  concern  with, 
or  management  of  Indian  affairs.'  This  has 
induced  me  to  forbear  mentioning  the  Indians 
in  my  letters  to  your  honour  of  late,  and  to 
leave  the  misunderstanding  which  you  speak 
of,  between  mr.  Alkin  and  them,  to  be  related 
by  him." 

Not  long  after  this,  he  received  a  letter  in- 
forming him  of  some  coarse  calumny  reflecting 
on  his  veracity  and  his  honour,  which  had  been 
circulated,  and  reported  to  the  governor.  A 
copy  of  this  letter  he  enclosed  to  mr.  Dinwiddie, 
and  thus  addressed  him.  "  I  should  take  it 
infinitely  kind  if  your  honour  would  please  to 
H  2 


52  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  T.  inform  me,  whether  a  report  of  this  nature  was 
1757.  ever  made  to  you,  and  in  that  case  who  was 
the  author  of  it  ? 

"  It  is  evident  from  a  variety  of  circumstances 
and  especially  from  the  change  in  your  honour's 
conduct  towards  me,  that  some  person  as  well 
inclined  to  detract,  but  better  skilled  in  the 
art  of  detraction  than  the  author  of  the  above 
stupid  scandal,  has  made  free  with  my  charac- 
ter. For  I  cannot  suppose  that  malice  so 
absurd,  so  barefaced,  so  diametrically  opposite 
to  truth ;  to  common  policy ;  and  in  short  to 
every  thing  but  villainy,  as  the  above  is,  could 
impress  you  with  so  ill  an  opinion  of  my 
honour  and  honesty. 

"If  it  be  possible  that  colonel ;  for  my 

belief  is  staggered;  not  being  conscious  of  hav- 
ing given  the  least  cause  to  anyone,  much  less  to 
that  gentleman,  to  reflect  so  grossly;  I  say  if  it 

be  possible  that  could  descend  so  low, 

as  to  be  the  propagator  of  this  story ;  he  must 
either  be  .vastly  ignorant  of  the  state  of  affairs 
in  this  county  at  that  time,  or  else,  he  must 
suppose  that  the  whole  body  of  inhabitants  had 
combined  with  me  in  executing  the  deceitful 
fraud.  Or  why  did  they,  almost  to  a  man,  for- 
sake their  dwellings  in  the  greatest  terror  and 
confusion?  and  while  one  half  of  them  sought 
shelter  in  paltry  forts,  (of  their  own  building) 
the  other  should  flee  to  the  adjacent  counties 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  53 

for  refuge;  numbers  of  them  even  to  Carolina:    CHAP,  i. 
from  whence  they  have  never  returned?  1757. 

"  These  are  facts  well  known;  but  not  better 
known,  than  that  these  wretched  people,  while 
they  lay  pent  up  in  forts  destitute  of  the  com- 
mon supports  of  life,  (having  in  their  precipitate 
flight  forgotten,  or  were  unable  rather  to  secure 
any  kind  of  necessaries)  did  dispatch  messen- 
gers of  their  own  (thinking  I  had  not  represented 
their  miseries  in  the  piteous  manner  they  de- 
served) with  addresses  to  your  honour  and  the 
assembly,  praying  relief.  And  did  I  ever  send 
any  alarming  account,  without  sending  also  the 
original  papers  (or  the  copies)  which  gave  rise 
to  it? 

"  That  I  have  foibles,  and  perhaps  many  of 
them,  I  shall  not  deny ;  I  should  esteem  myself, 
as  the  world  also  would,  vain  and  empty,  were 
I  to  arrogate  perfection. 

"  Knowledge  in  military  matters  is  to  be  ac- 
quired by  practice  and  experience  only,  and  if 
I  have  erred,  great  allowance  should  be  made 
for  my  errors,  for  want  of  them;  unless  those 
errors  should  appear  to  be  wilful;  and  then  I 
conceive,  it  would  be  more  generous  to  charge 
me  with  my  faults,  and  let  me  stand  or  fall, 
according  to  evidence,  than  to  stigmatize  me 
behind  my  back. 

"It  is  uncertain  in  what  light  my  services 
may  have  appeared  to  your  honour :  but  this  I 
know,  and  it  is  the  highest  consolation  I  am 


54  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  capable  of  feeling,  that  no  man  that  ever  was 
1757.  employed  in  a  public  capacity,  has  endeavoured 
to  discharge  the  trust  reposed  in  him,  with 
greater  honesty,  and  more  zeal  for  the  country's 
interest,  than  I  have  done :  and  if  there  is  any 
person  living,  who  can  say  with  justice  that  I 
have  offered  any  intentional  wrong  to  the  public, 
I  will  cheerfully  submit  to  the  most  ignominious 
punishment  that  an  injured  people  ought  to 
inflict.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  hard  to  have 
my  character  arraigned,  and  my  actions  con- 
demned without  a  hearing. 

"  I  must  therefore  again  beg  in  more  plain^ 

and  in  very  earnest  terms,  to  know  if has 

taken  the  liberty  of  representing  my  conduct  to 
your  honour  with  such  ungentlemanly  freedom 
as  the  letter  implies  ?  your  condescension  herein 
\vill  be  acknowledged  a  singular  favour." 

In  a  letter  some  short  time  after  this,  to  the 
lieutenant  governor,  he  says,  "  I  do  not  know  • 
that  I  ever  gave  your  honour  cause  to  suspect 
me  of  ingratitude,  a  crime  I  detest,  and  would 
most  carefully  avoid.  If  an  open  disinterested 
behaviour  carries  offence,  I  may  have  offended, 
for  I  have  all  along  laid  it  down  as  a  maxim  to  re- 
present facts  freely  and  impartially,  but  not  more 
so  to  others  than  to  you,  sir.  If  instances  of  my 
ungrateful  behaviour  had  been  particularized, 
I  would  have  answered  them.  But  I  have 
long  been  convinced  that  my  actions  and  their 
motives  have  been  maliciously  aggravated." 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  55 

In  this  letter  he  solicited  (as  the  lieutenant  CHAP.I. 
governor  was  to  leave  the  province  in  No  vein-     1757. 
ber)  permission  to  come  to  Williamsburgh, 
since  he  had  some  accounts  to  settle  which  he 
was  desirous  of  adjusting.     This  permission, 
the  governor  refused  in  abrupt  and  disobliging 
terms,  telling  him,  that  he  had  frequently  been 
indulged,  and  ought  not  now  to  ask  for  leave 
of  absence. 

In  answer  to  this  letter,  colonel  Washington, 
after  stating  the  immovable  determination  of 
the  inhabitants  to  leave  the  country  unless  more 
efficiently  protected,  added,  "to  give  a  more 
succinct  account  of  their  affairs  than  I  could  in 
writing  was  the  principal,  among  many  other 
reasons,  that  induced  me  to  ask  leave  to  come 
down.  It  was  not  to  enjoy  a  party  of  pleasure 
that  I  asked  leave  of  absence,  I  have  been 
indulged  with  few  of  those,  winter  or  sum- 
mer." 

Mr.  Dinwiddie  soon  afterwards  took  leave 
of  Virginia,  and  the  government  devolved  on 
mr.  Blair,  the  president  of  the  council.  Between 
him  and  the  commander  of  the  colonial  forces, 
the  utmost  cordiality  continued  to  exist. 

After  the  close  of  this  campaign,  lordLoudoun 
returned  to  England,  and  general  Abercrombie 
succeeded  to  the  command  of  the  army.     The  General 
department  of  the  middle  and  southern  provinces  fa°keseth^dcT 

.  .  i    T-»     *i  i        expedition 

was  committed  to  general  lorbes,  and,  to  the  against  fort 

P  .  duQuesne. 

inexpressible    gratification   of  colonel  Wash- 


56  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.   ington,  an  expedition  against  fort  du  Quesne 
1758.    was  determined  on. 

Finding  there  was  no  probability  of  being 
placed  on  a  permanent  establishment,  he  had 
for  some  time  past  meditated  a  resignation  of 
his  commission ;  but  the  prospect  of  more  active 
service,  now  determined  him  to  hold  it  for  the 
ensuing  campaign. 

The  high  estimation  in  which  he  was  held 
by  the  officers  who  had  served  with  him  under 
general  Braddock,  several  of  whom  were  now 
in  the  army  of  general  Forbes,  led  him  to  hope, 
that  he  should  be  in  some  degree  distinguished 
by  the  commander  in  chief,  and  placed  in 
situations  which  would  enable  him  to  render 
essential  service  to  his  country,  and  at  the  same 
time,  to  reap  those  laurels  for  which  he  had 
always  panted. 

He  urged  strongly  an  early  campaign,  and 
•among  other  motives  to  induce  the  utmost 
possible  activity,  he  stated,  that  by  delay  they 
would  lose  a  body  of  friendly  Indians,  who  had 
collected  at  Winchester,  during  the  month  of 
April,  to  the  amount  of  seven  hundred  men, 
and  would,  he  apprehended,  return  to  their 
homes,  if  they  did  not  perceive  a  prospect  of 
being  soon  employed.  "  In  that  event"  he 
added  "  no  words  can  tell  how  much  they  will 
be  missed." 

Long  before  the  troops  assembled,  a  very 
large  body  of  French  and  Indians  broke  into 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  57 

the  country  and  the  wretched  inhabitants  were   CHAP,  i. 
again  exposed  to  the  miseries  which  they  had     1758. 
so  often  experienced.    The  county  of  Augusta 
was  ravaged,  and  about  sixty  persons  murdered. 
The  attempts  made  to  intercept  those  who  com- 
mitted the  mischief,   were  unsuccessful,  and 
they  recrossed  the  Alleghany  with  their  plunder, 
prisoners,  and  scalps. 

At  length  orders  were  received  to  assemble  Ma>' M- 
the  regiment  at  Winchester,  and  be  in  readi- 
\\ess  to  march  in  fifteen  days  ;  in  consequence 
of  which,  the  recruiting  parties  were  called  in, 
and  colonel  Washington  made  a  journey  to 
Williamsburg,  to  obtain  arms,  ammunition  and 
clothing  for  his  troops  ;  as  well  as  money  to 
enable  them  to  move.  It  is  strange  that,  at 
this  late  season,  these  preparations  were  yet 
to  be  made  ;  and  it  is  not  less  strange,  that  the 
task  should  have  been  imposed  on  colonel 
Washington,  of  urging  the  necessity  of  allowing 
to  his  regiment,  which  had  performed  so  much 
severe  duty,  the  same  pay  which  was  allowed 
to  a  second  regiment  voted  the  last  session  of 
assembly  only  for  this  campaign,  and  to  be 
commanded  by  colonel  Bird. 

The  apprehensions  which  had  been  enter- 
tained of  the  impracticability  of  detaining 
the  Indians,  unless  the  campaign  could  be 
commenced  early  in  the  season,  were  well 
founded.  Before  a  junction  of  the  troops  had 
been  made,  these  savages  became  impatient 

VOL.  ii.  i 


:  58  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  to  return  to  their  homes  ;  and,  finding  that  the 
1758.  expedition  would  yet  be  delayed  a  considerable 
time,  they  left  the  army  with  promises  to  rejoin 
it  in  the  proper  season.  So  sensible  was  colonel 
Washington  of  their  importance,  in  the  country 
through  which  the  troops  were  to  be  conducted, 
that  he  strongly  urged  general  Forbesto  dispatch 
a  confidential  person  to  the  Cherokee  towns, 
in  order  to  cultivate  their  good  will,  and  to 
prevail  on  them  to  join  him  on  his  march.  This 
he  considered  as  very  practicable,  since  he 
understood  the  general  designed  to  move  by 
slow  and  cautious  steps,  and  to  establish  posts 
at  certain  intervals  for  the  reception  of  stores, 
and  as  a  cover  in  the  event  of  being  compelled 
to  retreat.  In  support  of  this  opinion,  he 
stated  to  general  Forbes  his  conviction  that, 
in  the  country  through  which  they  were  to  pass, 
numbers  would  not  secure  victory.  On  the 
contrary,  he  was  persuaded,  that  an  unwieldy 
body  of  troops,  covering  its  convoys,  might 
be  successfully  attacked  on  its  march,  and 
penetrated  at  various  points,  by  light  unincum- 
bered  parties. 

june  24.  Iii  pursuance  of  the  orders  which  had  been 
received,  the  Virginia  troops  moved  in  detach- 
ments from  Winchester  to  fort  Cumberland, 
where  they  assembled  early  in  July,  and  were 
employed  in  opening  a  road  to  Raystown, 
where  colonel  Bouquet  was  stationed.  As  they 
were  continually  harassed  by  small  parties  of  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  5( 

enemy,  it  was  in  contemplation  to  send  a  strong   CHAP,  i. 
detachment    over   the    Alleghany    mountains,     irss. 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  them  employment  at 
home.     This  plan  was  laid  aside  in  conformity 
with  the  advice  of  colonel  Washington,  who 
observed,    that   unquestionably   a   very   large 
force  must  now  be  collected  at  fort  du  Quesne, 
and  that  a  strong  detachment  could  not  move, 
without  such  a  quantity  of  provisions,  as  would 

-.  prevent  a  secret  march ;  in  consequence  of 
\vhich,  the  enemy  would  meet  them  in  full  force, 
and  probably  defeat  them.  He  advised  rather 
to  harass  them  with  small  parties,  principally 
of  Indians,  and  this  advice  was  pursued. 

It  had  been  considered  as  certain,  that  the  Juiy. 
army  would  march  by  Braddock's  road  which 
was  well  known,  and  required  very  few  repairs. 
Late  in  July,  colonel  Washington  had  the 
mortification  to  receive  a  letter  from  colonel 
Bouquet,  asking  an  interview  with  him,  in  order 
to  consult  on  opening  a  new  road  from  Rays- 
town,  and  requesting  his  opinion  on  that  route. 
"  I  shall,"  says  he,  in -answer  to  this  letter, 
"  most  cheerfully  work  on  any  road,  pursue 
any  route,  or  enter  upon  any  service,  that  the 
general  or  yourself  may  think  me  usefully 
employed  in,  or  qualified  for;  and  shall  never 
have  a  will  of  my  own,  when  a  duty  is  required 
of  me.  But  since  you  desire  me  to  speak  my 

.  sentiments  freely,  permit  me  to  observe  that, 
after  having  conversed  with  all  the  guides,  and 

i  2 


50  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  having  been  informed  by  others  acquainted  with 
1758.  the  country,  I  am  convinced  that  a  road,  to  be 
compared  with  general  Braddock's,  or  indeed 
that  will  be  fit  for  transportation  even  by  pack- 
horses,  cannot  be  made.  I  own  I  have  no 
predilection  for  the  route  you  have  in  contem- 
plation for  me." 

A  few  days  after  this  letter,  he  had  an  inter- 
view with  colonel  Bouquet,  whom  he  found 
decided  in  favour  of  opening  the  new  road. 
After  their  separation,  colonel  Washington,  with 
his  permission,  addressed  to  him  a  letter  to  be 
laid  before  general  Forbes,  then  indisposed  at 
Carlisle,  in  which  he  stated  his  reasons  against 
this  measure. 

Several  years  past,  he  said,  the  Pennsylva- 
nians  and  Virginians  had  opened  a  trade  with 
the  Indians  on  the  Ohio,  and  had  endeavoured 
to  obviate  the  inconveniencies  arising  from  the 
excessive  badness  of  the  route.  The  Indians 
had  been  hired  to  explore  the  country  and  find 
the  best  way ;  the  result  of  wrhich  had  been, 
that  the  preference  had  been  universally  given 
to  the  path  by  Wills'  creek,  and  the  Pennsyl- 
vanians  themselves  had  adopted  it.  It  had 
been  opened  by  the  Ohio  company  in  1753, 
and  repaired  by  the  troops  under  his  command 
in  1754  as  far  as  Gist's  plantation,  beyond  the 
Great  Meadows.  In  1755  it  had  been  widened 
and  put  in  good  order  by  general  Braddock, 
and  could  easily  be  made  fit  for  immediate  use. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  61 

A  road  which  had  been  so  long  opened,  so  well   CHAP,  i. 
and  so  often  repaired,  must  be  superior  to  a     1758. 
new  road,  admitting  the  ground  to  be  equal. 
But  the  great  and  decisive  objection  to  this  new 
route  was  the  want  of  time  to  open  it.    So  much 
time  must  be  consumed  in  surmounting  the 
vast  difficulties  opposed  by  almost  impassable 
mountains,  covered  with  rocks  and  woods,  as 
would  blast  their  otherwise  well-founded  hopes 
of  striking,  this  season,  the  long  wished  for  and 
important  blow.     Its  being  deferred  to  another 
year,  would,   he  was  morally  certain,   be  pro- 
.  ductive  of  the  most  destructive  consequences 
to   the   middle    and    southern    colonies,    who 
had  now  made  a  noble  effort  towards  ending 
the  calamities  under  which  they  had  so  long 
groaned   by    granting   supplies    beyond    their 
abilities.  These  funds  would  in  a  few  months  be 
exhausted,  and  the  troops  disbanded.    Their  in- 
ability, added  to  the  discouragement  occasioned 
by  such  a  disappointment,  might  prevent  their 
making  a  similar  effort  for  another  season ;  and 
experience  evinced,  that  expense  and  numbers 
must  be  increased  in  proportion  to  their  delay. 
The  southern  Indians   had,  from   their    ill 
success  and  inactivity,  long  viewed  them  with 
contempt,  and  had  already  committed  hostilities 
on  their  frontiers.    They  waited  only  the  result 
of  the  present  campaign,  to  unmask  themselves 
completely,  and  such  an  addition  to  the  strength 


62  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.    of  the  enemy,  might  terminate  in  the  destruc- 
1758.    tion  of  the  colonies. 

The  flattering  accounts  of  the  forage  on  the 
Raystown  road,  could  not  but  be  exaggerated. 
It  was  agreed  by  all  unprejudiced  men  acquainted 
with  the  country,  that  the  mountains  on  that 
road  were  still  more  inaccessible  than  on  general 
Braddock's.  They  were  barren  on  both  roads, 
and  between  them,  were  rich  valleys  affording 
great  quantities  of  grass. 

The  objection  made  to  Braddock's  road  on 
account  of  the  high  waters  was  not  well  founded. 
The  Yohogany,  which  was  the  most  rapid  and 
soonest  filled,  he  had  himself  crossed  with  a 
body  of  troops,  after  more  than  thirty  days  of 
almost  constant  rain.  The  Monongahela  might 
be  avoided,  if  necessary,  by  passing  a  defile. 

The  objections  to  the  numerous  defiles  on 
general  Braddock's  road  were  equally  applicable 
to  the  other  road. 

The  difference  in  distance  was  extremely 
inconsiderable,  and  the  advantage  gained  in 
that  respect,  would  admit  of  no  comparison 
with  the  disadvantage  of  being  compelled  to 
"  open  a  new  road,  one  hundred  miles,  over 
almost  inaccessible  mountains.  Should  this  be 
attempted,  he  feared,  they  would  be  able  to 
do  nothing  more  than  to  fortify  some  post  on 
the  other  side  the  mountains,  and  prepare  for 
another  campaign.  This  he  prayed  Heaven  to 
avert,  unless  it  should  really  be  found  imprac- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  5 

ticable  during  the  present  to  prosecute  with   CHAP.  i. 
prudence  the  enterprise  now  in  hand.  1753. 

He  was  also  opposed  to  the  scheme  which 
had  been  suggested,  of  dividing  the  army  and 
marching  by  the  two  different  routes. 

He  objected  to  this  measure,  first,  because 
it  divided  their  strength,  and  put  it  absolutely 
out  of  the  power  of  the  columns  to  support  each 
other  on  the  march,  since  there  neither  was, 
nor  could  be,  any  communication  between  the 
roads. 

Secondly.  If  the  divisions  should  set  out  at 
the  same  time,  and  should  make  no  deposits  on 
the  way,  that,  marching  by  the  road  from  Rays- 
town  must  arrive  first,  because  unincumbered 
with  waggons ;  and,  if  the  enemy  should  be  in 
force,  would  be  exposed  even  in  their  entrench- 
ments to  insult  and  hazard.  If  the  enemy 
should  not  be  strong  enough  for  this,  the  whole 
body  would  have  but  little  to  fear  from  them 
in  whatever  manner,  or  by  whatever  road  they 
might  march. 

Thirdly.   If  the  division  escorting  the  convoy 
should  be  directed  to  march  first,  they  would    • 
risk  almost  every  thing,  and  be  ruined  if  any 
accident  should  befal  the  artillery  and  military 
stores :   and 

Lastly.  If  they  should  advance  on  both 
roads  by  deposits,  they  must  double  their 
number  of  guards  over  the  mountains,  and 
distress  themselves  by  victualling  them  at  the 


64  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  i.  places  of  deposit.  In  addition  to  which,  they 
1758.  must  lose  the  proposed  advantage  of  stealing  a 
inarch  on  the  enemy. 

Having  stated  these  objections  to  the  plan  in 
contemplation,  he  then  recommended  an  order 
of  mar  oh  by  Braddock's  road,  which  would 
bring  the  whole  army  before  fort  du  Quesne  in 
thirty-four  days,  with  a  supply  of  provisions 
for  eighty -six  days. 

He  at  the  same  time  addressed  a  letter  to 
major  Halket,  aid  of  general  Forbes,  in  which 
Aug^t  2.  he  says,  "  I  am  just  returned  from  a  conference 
held  with  colonel  Bouquet.  I  find  him  fixed — 
I  think  I  may  say  unalterably  fixed — to  lead  you 
a  new  way  to  the  Ohio,  through  a  road  every 
inch  of  which  is  to  be  cut,  at  this  advanced 
season,  when  we  have  scarcely  time  left  to 
tread  the  beaten  track,  universally  confessed 
to  be  the  best  passage  through  the  mountains. 

"  If  colonel  Bouquet  succeeds  in  this  point 
with  the  general,  all  is  lost !  all  is  lost  indeed ! 
our  enterprise  is  ruined,  and  we  shall  be 
stopped  at  the  Laurel  hill  this  winter.... but  not 
to  gather  laurels.... except  of  the  kind  which 
cover  the  mountains.  The  southern  Indians 
will  turn  against  us,  and  these  colonies  will  be 
desolated  by  such  an  accession  to  the  enemy's 
strength.  These  must  be  the  consequences  of 
a  miscarriage ;  and  a  miscarriage,  the  almost 
necessary  consequence  of  an  attempt  to  march 
the  army  by  this  mute." 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  65 

Colonel   Washington's    remonstrances   and  CHAP.I. 
arguments  were,  however,  unavailing,  and  the     1758. 
new  route  was  resolved  on.  His  chagrin,  at  this 
measure  and  the  delays  resulting  from  it,  was 
extreme,  and  was  expressed  in  most  anxious 
letters   to   mr.    Fauquier,    then    governor    of 
Virginia,  and  to  the  speaker  of  the  house  of 
burgesses. 

To  the  speaker,  from  fort  Cumberland,  he 
I  says  "we  are  still  encamped  here,  very  sickly SePtember2- 
v  and  dispirited  at  the  prospect  before  us.  That 
appearance  of  glory  which  we  once  had  in 
view.... that  hope — that  laudable  ambition  of 
serving  our  country,  and  meriting  its  applause, 
are  now  no  more ;  all  is  dwindled  into  ease, 
sloth,  and  fatal  inactivity.  In  a  word,  all  is  lost, 
if  the  ways  of  men  in  power,  like  certain  ways 
of  Providence,  are  not  inscrutable.  But  we  who 
view  the  actions  of  great  men  at  a  distance, 
can  only  form  conjectures  agreeably  to  a  limited 
perception;  and,  being  ignorant  of  the  compre- 
hensive schemes  which  may  be  in  contempla- 
tion, might  mistake  egregiously  in  judging  of 
things  from  appearances,  or  by  the  lump. 
Yet  every  f..l  will  have  his  notions — will 
prattle  and  talk  away ;  and  why  may  not  I  ? 
we  seem  then,  in  my  opinion,  to  act  under 
the  guidance  of  an  evil  genius.  The  conduct  of 
our  leaders,  if  not  actuated  by  superior  orders, 
is  tempered  with  something....!  do  not  care  to 
give  a  name  to.  Nothing  now  but  a  miracle 

'  VOL.  ii.  K 


66  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  can  bring  this  campaign  to  a  happy  issue. ' '  He 
1755.  then  recapitulated  the  arguments  he  had  urged 
against  attempting  a  new  road,  and  added,  "  but 
I  spoke  all  unavailingly.  The  road  was  imme- 
diately begun,  and  since  then,  from  one  to  two 
thousand  men  have  constantly  wrought  on  it. 
By  the  last  accounts  I  have  received,  they  had 
cut  it  to  the  foot  of  the  Laurel  hill,  about  thirty 
five  miles,  and  I  suppose  by  this  time,  fifteen 
hundred  men  have  taken  post  about  ten  miles 
further,  at  a  place  called  Loyal  Hanna,  where 
our  next  fort  is  to  be  constructed. 

"  We  have  certain  intelligence  that  the 
French  strength  at  fort  du  Quesne  did  not 
exceed  eight  hundred  men,  the  thirteenth 
ultimo,  including  about  three  or  four  hundred 
Indians.  See  how  our  time  has  been  mispent 
....behold  how  the  golden  opportunity  is  lost.... 
perhaps,  never  more  to  be  regained !  how  is 
it  to  be  accounted  for  ?  can  general  Forbes 
have  orders  for  this  ?  impossible.  Will  then 
our  injured  country  pass  by  such  abuses  ?  I 
hope  not :  rather  let  a  full  representation  of 
the  matter  go  to  his  majesty:  let  him  know 
how  grossly  his  glory  and  interests,  and  the 
public  money  have  been  prostituted." 

Colonel  Washington  was  soon  afterwards 
ordered  to  Raystown,  before  which  time, 
major  Grant  had  been  detached  from  the 
advanced  post  at  Royal  Hanna,  with  a,  select 
corps  of  eight  hundred  men,  to  reconnoitre  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  67 

country  about  fort  clu  Quesne.     In  the  night  CHAP,  i. 
he  reached  a  hill  near  the  fort,  where  he  posted    1758. 
his  men  in  different  columns,  and  sent  forward 
a  party  for  the  purpose  of  discovery.     They 
burnt  a  log  house  near  the  walls  and  returned. 
Next  morning,    major  Grant  detached   major 
Lewis  of  colonel  Washington's  regiment,  with 
a  baggage  guard,  two  miles  into  his  rear;  ar-cl 
sent  an  engineer  with  a  covering  party,  within 
full  view  of  the  fort,  to  take  a  plan  of  the  works. 

\In  the  mean  time,  he  ordered  the  reveille  to  be 
beaten  in  different  places.  This  parade  drew 
out  the  enemy  in  great  force,  and  an  obstinate 
engagement  ensued.  As  soon  as  the  action 
commenced,  major  Lewis  left  captain  Bullett 
of  colonel  Washington's  regiment,  with  about 
fifty  Virginians  to  guard  the  baggage,  and 
advanced  with  the  utmost  speed  to  support 
major  Grant.  The  English  were  defeated  with  Defeat  of 
considerable  loss,  and  both  major  Grant  and'"' 
major  Lewis  taken  prisoners.  In  this  action 
the  Virginians  behaved  most  gallantly,  and 
evidenced  the  spirit  with  which  they  had  been 
trained.  Out  of  eight  officers,  five  were  killed, 
a  sixth  \voundecl,  and  a  seventh  taken  prisoner. 
Captain  Bullett,  who  defended  the  baggage  with 
great  resolution,  and  contributed  to  save  the 
remnant  of  the  detachment,  was  the  only  officer 
who  escaped  unhurt.  Out  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty-six  men,  sixty-two  were  killed  on  the 
spot,  and  two  wounded.  This  conduct  on  the 

K2 


68  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  part  of  his  regiment  reflected  high  honour  on 
1758.  their  commander  as  well  as  on  themselves,  and 
he  received  on  the  occasion,  the  compliments 
of  the  general.  The  total  loss  in  this  action 
xvas  two  hundred  and  seventy-three  killed,  and 
forty-two  wounded. 

It  was  at  length  determined  that  the  main 
body  of  the  army  should  move  from  Raystown, 
and  the  general  called  on  the  colonels  of  regi- 
ments, each,  to  submit  to  his  consideration,  a 
plan  for  his  march.  That  proposed  by  colonel 
Washington  has  been  preserved,  and  appears/ 
to  have  been  judiciously  formed. 

They  reached  the  camp  at  Loyal  Hanna, 
through  a  road  said  to  be  indescribably  bad, 
about  the  fifth  of  November,  where,  as  had 
been  predicted,  a  council  of  war  determined, 
that  it  was  un advisable  to  proceed  further  this 
campaign.  It  would  have  been  almost  impossi- 
ble to  have  wintered  an  army  in  that  position. 
They  must  have  retreated  from  the  cold  inhos- 
pitable wilderness  into  which  they  had  pene- 
trated, or  have  suffered  immensely  ;  perhaps 
have  perished.  Fortunately,  some  prisoners 
were  taken,  who  informed  them  of  the  extreme 
distress  of  the  fort.  The  garrison  deriving  no 
support  from  Canada  was  weak ;  was  in  great 
want  of  provision,  and  had  been  deserted  by 
the  Indians.  These  encouraging  circumstances 
changed  the  resolution  which  had  been  taken, 
and  determined  the  general  to  prosecute  the 
expedition. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  gg 

Colonel  Washington  was  advanced  in  front,   CHAP,  i. 
and   with   infinite   labour,    superintended   the     1758. 
opening  the  way  for  the  main  body  of  the  army. 
In  this  manner  they  moved  forward  with  slow*1^^ 

Quesne 

and  painful  steps,    until  they  reached  fort  du^^J^ 
Quesne,  of  which  they  took  peaceable  posses-  J^LS 
sion,  the  enemy  having  on  the  preceding  night,  EngLhhe 
after   evacuating   and  setting  it  on  fire,   pro-  Novem.  25. 
ceeded  down  the  Ohio  in  their  boats. 

It  is  evident,  that  the  capture  of  this  place, 
\so  all  important  to  the  middle  and  southern 
provinces,  was  entirely  to  be  attributed  to  the 
British  fleet,  which  had  intercepted  a  consider- 
able part  of  the  re-enforcements  designed  by 
France  for  her  colonies,  and  to  the  success  of 
the  English  and  American  arms  to  the  north, 
which  rendered  it  impossible  for  the  French  in 
Canada  to  support  it;  and  which  very  much 
weakened  their  influence  over  the  Indians. 
Without  the  aid  of  these  causes,  the  extraordi- 
nary and  unaccountable  delays  of  the  campaign 
must  have  defeated  its  object. 

The  works  were  repaired,  and  the  new  fort 
was  distinguished  by  the  title  of  fort  Pitt,  the 
name  of  the  great  minister,  who,  now  with  so 
much  vigour  and  talents  governed  the  nation. 

Colonel  Washington,  having  furnished  two 
hundred  men  from  his  regiment  as  a  garrison, 
marched  to  Winchester,  from  which  place  he 
set  out  soon  afterwards  to  attend  the  assembly, 
of  which  he  had  been  elected  a  member  by  the 
county  of  Frederick,  while  at  fort  Cumberland. 


70  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  i.  The  removal  of  the  French  from  the  Ohio, 
1758.  produced,  in  a  great  degree,  a  cessation  of 
Indian  hostility.  His  country  was  now  relieved 
from  the  danger  with  which  it  had  been  threat- 
ened. The  great  object  for  which  alone,  after 
perceiving  that  he  should  not  be  placed  on 
the  permanent  establishment,  he  had  continued 
in  the  service,  was  now  accomplished.  His 
health  was  much  impaired,  and  his  domestic 
affairs  required  his  attention. 

Impelled  by  these  and  other  motives  of  a 

private  nature,  he  determined  to  withdraw  fronV 

a  service,  which  he  believed  he  might  now  quit 

without  dishonour;   and,  about  the  close  of  the 

Resignation  year,  he  resigned  his  commission  as  colonel  of 

ot  coionei     the  first  Virginia  reariment,  and  commander  in 

Washington. 

chief  of  all  the  troops  raised  in  the  colony. 

The  officers  whom  he  had  commanded  were 
greatly  attached  to  him,  and  manifested  their 
esteem  for  him,  and  their  regret  at  parting  with 
him,  by  a  very  affectionate  address,*  expressive 
of  the  very  high  opinion  they  entertained  both 
of  his  military  and  private  character. 

This  opinion  was  not  confined  to  the  officers 
of  his  regiment.  It  was  common  to  Virginia, 
and  had  been  adopted  by  the  British  officers 
with  whom  he  served.  The  duties  he  per- 
formed, though  not  splendid,  were  arduous ; 
and  were  executed  with  zeal  and  with  judg- 

*   See  Note,  No.  III.  at  t/ie  end  of  the  -vchnne. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  71 

ment.     The  exact  discipline  he  established  in  CHAP,  i. 
his  regiment,  when  the  temper  of  Virginia  was     irss. 
extremely  hostile  to  discipline,   does  credit  to 
his  military  character;  and  the  gallantry  they 
displayed  whenever  called  into  action,  manifests 
the  spirit  infused  into  them  by  their  commander. 
The  difficulties  of  his  situation,  while  unable 
to  cover  the   frontiers  from  the 'French  and 
Indians,  who  were  spreading  death  and  deso- 
lation in  every  quarter,  were  certainly  great; 
l  and  no  better  evidence  of  his  exertions,  under 
Vthese  distressing  circumstances,  can  be  given, 
than  the  undiminished  confidence  still  placed 
in  him  by  those  he  was  unable  to  protect. 

The  efforts  to  which  he  perpetually  stimulated 
his  country,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  pos- 
session of  the  Ohio ;  the  system  for  the  conduct 
of  the  war,  which  he  continually  recommended; 
the  vigorous  and  active  measures  always  advo- 
cated by  him  in  his  opinions  to  those  by  whom 
he  was  commanded ;  manifest  an  ardent  and  an 
enterprising  mind,  tempered  by  judgment, 
and  quickly  improved  by  experience. 

Not  long  after  his  resignation,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  the  widow  of  mr.  Custis,  a  young  lady, 
to  whom  he  had  been  for  some  time  strongly 
attached,  and  who,  to  a  large  fortune  and  a 
fine  person,  added  those  amiable  accomplish- 
ments which  ensure  domestic  happiness,  and 
fill  with  silent,  but  unceasing  felicity,  the  quiet 
scenes  of  private  life. 


72  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAPTER  II. 

Opinions  on  the  supremacy  of  parliament,  and  its  right 
to  tax  the  colonies.  ...The  stamp  act..  ..Congress  as- 
semble at  New  York..  ..Violence  in  the  great  towns.... 
Change  of  the  administration...  .Stamp  act  repealed.... 
Opposition  to  the  mutiny  act..  ..Act  imposing  duties  on 
tea,  &c.  resisted  in  America.  ...The  assembly  of  Mas- 
sachussetts  address  letters  to  several  members  of  the 
administration  in  England.  ...Petition  to  the  king..  ..Cir- 
cular letters  to  the  colonial  assemblies.  ...Letter  from 
the  earl  of  Hillsborough.  ...Assembly  of  Massachusetts 
dissolved.  ...Seizure  of  the  sloop  Liberty..  ..A  convention^ 
assembles  at  Faneuil  Hall...  .Moderation  of  its  proceed/ 
ings..  ..Two  British  regiments  arrive  at  Boston.  ...Reso- 
lutions of  the  house  of  burgesses  of  Virginia..  ..The 
governor  dissolves  the  assembly.  ...The  members  form 
and  sign  a  non-importation  association..  ..Measures  ge- 
nerally taken  against  the  importation  of  British  manu- 
factures...^ eneral  court  again  convened  in  Massachus- 
setts....Its  proceedings.  ...Is  prorogued..  ..Administration 
resolve  on  a  repeal  of  all  the  duties  except  that  on  tea.... 
Circular  letter  of  the  earl  of  Hillsborough..  ..New  York 
recedes  in  part  from  the  non-importation  agreement.... 
The  example  generally  followed.  ...Riot  in  Boston.... 
Trial  and  acquittal  of  captain  Preston. 


1763.  AT  no  period  of  time,  was  the  attachment 
of  the  colonists  to  the  mother  country  more 
strong,  or  more  general,  than  at  present.* 
The  war  just  concluded  had  very  deeply  inte- 
rested every  part  of  the  continent.  Every 

*  After  the  expulsion  of  the  French  from  Canada,  a 
considerable  degree  of  ill  humour  was  manifested  in 
Massachusetts  with  respect  to  the  manner  in  which  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  73 

olony   had  been   engaged   in  it,    and   every  CHAP,  n. 

olony  had  felt  its  ravages.     The  part  taken     ires. 

it  by  Indian  auxiliaries  had  greatly  increased 
its  horrors,  and  had  added  to  the  joy  produced 
in  every  bosom  by  its  successful  termination. 
The  union  of  that  vast  tract  of  country,  which 
extends  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Mississippi, 
and  from  the  gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  north  pole, 
under  one  common  sovereign,  was  deemed  a 
certain  guarantee  of  future  peace,  and  an 
effectual  security  against  the  return  of  those 
bloody  scenes,  from  the  sufferings  of  which, 
no  condition  in  life  could  afford  an  exemption. 
This  state  of  things  so  long  and  so  anxiously 
wished  for  by  British  America,  had  at  length 
been  effected  by  the  union  of  British  and 
American  valour.  They  had  co-operated  in  the 


laws  of  trade  were  executed.  A  question  was  agitated 
in  the  court  in  which  the  colony  took  a  very  deep  interest. 
A  custom-house  officer  applied  for  what  was  termed  "  a 
writ  of  assistance,"  which  was  an  authority  to  search  any 
house  whatever  for  dutiable  articles  suspected  to  be 
concealed  in  it.  The  right  to  grant  special  warrants  was 
never  contested,  but  this  grant  of  a  general  warrant  was 
deemed  contrary  to  the  principles  of  liberty,  and  was 
thought  an  engine  of  oppression  equally  useless  and 
vexatious,  which  would  enable  every  petty  officer  of  the 
customs  to  gratify  his  resentments  by  harassing  the  most 
respectable  men  in  the  province.  The  ill  temper  excited 
on  this  occasion  was  shewn  by  a  reduction  of  the  salaries 
of  the  judges,  but  no  diminution  of  attachment  to  the 
mother  country  appears  to  have  been  produced  by  it. 
VOL.  II.  L 


. 

74  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  ii.  same  service,  their  blood  had  mingled  in  the 
ires,    same  plains;  and  the  object  pursued  was  com- 
mon to  both  people. 

While  the  British  nation  was  endeared  to  the 
American  heart  by  this  community  of  danger, 
and  identity  of  interest,  the  brilliant  achieve- 
ments of  the  war  had  exalted  to  enthusiasm, 
their  admiration  of  British  valour.  They  were 
proud  of  the  land  of  their  ancestors,  and  gloried 
in  their  descent  from  Englishmen!  But  this 
sentiment  of  admiration  was  not  confined  to  the  f 
military  character  of  the  nation.  A  full  portion  . 
of  it  was  bestowed  on  their  political  institutions ; ' 
and  while  the  excellence  of  the  English  consti- 
tution was  a  rich  theme  of  declamation  in 
America,  every  man  believed  himself  entitled  to 
a  large  share  of  its  advantages;  nor  could  he 
admit  that,  by  crossing  the  Atlantic,  his  ances- 
tors had  relinquished  the  essential  rights  of 
British  subjects. 

opinions          The  degree  of  authority  which  might  right- 
supremacy  of  fully  be  exercised  by  the  mother  country  over 

parliament,  • 

wtexstheght  ner  colonies,  had  never  been  accurately  defined. 

colonies.  jn  Brftain)  ft  j^d  always  been  asserted,  that 
parliament  possessed  the  power  of  binding 
them  in  all  cases  whatsoever.  In  America,  at 
different  times  and  in  different  colonies,  various 
opinions  had  been  entertained  on  this  subject. 
In  New  England,  originally  settled  by  repub- 
licans, and  during  the  depression  of  the  regal 
government  the  favourite  of  the  English  na- 


\ 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  75 

tion,  habits  of  independence  had  nourished  the  CHAP,  n. 
theory,  that  the  colonial  assemblies  possessed  1763. 
all  the  powers  of  legislation  not  surrendered  by 
compact,  that  the  Americans  were  subjects  of 
the  British  crown,  but  not  of  the  nation  ;  and 
were  bound  by  no  laws,  to  which  their  repre- 
sentatives had  not  assented.  From  this  high 
ground  they  had  been  compelled  reluctantly  to 
recede.  The  judges  being  generally  appointed 
by  the  governors  with  the  advice  of  council, 
had  determined  that  the  colonies  were  bound 
by  acts  of  parliament  which  concerned  them, 

\  and  which  were  expressly  extended  to  them ; 

4  and  we  have  seen  the  general  court  of 
Massachussetts,  on  a  late  occasion,  explicitly 
recognising  the  same  principle.  This  had, 
perhaps,  become  the  opinion  of  many  of  the 
best  informed  men  in  the  province;  but  the 
doctrine  seems  still  to  have  been  extensively 
maintained,  that  acts  of  parliament  possessed 
only  an  external  obligation  ;  that  they  could 
regulate  commerce,  but  not  the  interior  affairs 
of  the  colonies. 

In  the  year  1692,  immediately  after  the  re- 
ceipt of  their  new  charter,  granted  by  William 
and  Mary,  the  legislature  of  Massachussetts  had 
passed  an  act,  denying  most  explicitly  the  right 
of  any  authority,  other  than  that  of  the  general 
court,  to  impose  on  the  colony  any  tax  whatever ; 
and  also  asserting  those  principles  of  national 
liberty,  which  are  found  in  magna  charta. 
L  2 


76  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  ii.  Not  long  afterwards,  the  legislature  of  New 
1763.  York ,  probably  with  a  view  only  to  the  authority 
claimed  by  the  governor,  and  not  to  that  of 
the  mother  country,  passed  an  act  similar  to 
that  of  Massachussetts,  in  which  its  own 
supremacy,  not  only  in  matters  of  taxation, 
but  of  general  legislation,  is  expressly  asserted. 
Both  these  acts,  however,  were  disapproved 
in  England,  and  the  parliament  asserted  its 
authority  by  a  law  passed  in  1696,  declaring 
"that  all  laws,  bye-laws,  usages,  and  customs, 
which  shall  be  in  practice  in  any  of  the  plantations 
repugnant  to  any  law  made  or  to  be  made  in  this  , 
•  kingdom  relative  to  the  said  plantations,  shall  * 

be  void  and  of  none  effect."  And  three  years 
afterwards,  an  act  was  passed  for  the  trial  of 
pirates  in  America,  in  which  is  to  be  found  the 
following  very  extraordinary  clause.  "  Be  it 
further  declared,  that  if  any  of  the  governors, 
or  any  person  or  persons  in  authority  there, 
shall  refuse  to  yield  obedience  to  this  act,  such 
refusal  is  hereby  declared  to  be  a  forfeiture 
of  all  and  every  the  charters  granted  for  the 
government  and  propriety  of  such  plantations." 

The  English  statute  book  furnishes  many 
instances  in  which  the  legislative  power  of 
parliament  over  the  colonies  was  exercised  so 
as  to  make  regulations  completely  internal; 
and  in  no  instance,  that  is  recollected,  was 
their  authority  openly  controverted. 

In  the  middle  and  southern   provinces,  no 
question  respecting  the  supremacy  of  parliament 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  77 

in  matters  of  general  legislation,  ever  existed.  CHAP,  n. 
The  authority  of  such  of  their  acts  of  internal  1763. 
regulation,  as  were  made  for  America,  as  well 
as  of  those  for  the  regulation  of  commerce, 
even  by  the  imposition  of  duties,  provided 
those  duties  were  imposed  for  the  purposes  of 
regulation,  had  been  at  all  times  admitted. 
But  even  these  colonies,  however  they  might 
acknowledge  the  supremacy  of  parliament  in 
other  respects,  denied  the  right  of  that  body 
'  to  tax  them  internally. 

Their  submission  to  the  act  for  establishing  a 
\general  post  office,  which  was  passed  so  early 
|as  the  year  1710,  and  which  raised  a  revenue  on 
'the  carriage  of  letters,  was  thought  no  derelic- 
tion of  this  principle,  because  they  never  viewed 
it  in  the  light  of  a  tax,  but  rather  as  a  compensa- 
tion paid  for  a  service  rendered,  of  which  every 
person  was  at  liberty  to  avail  himself,  or  to 
decline.     And  all  the   duties   on  trade   were 
understood  to  be  imposed  rather  with  a  view 
to  prevent  foreign  commerce,  than  to  raise  a 
revenue.     Perhaps  the   legality  of  such  acts 
was   the  less  questioned,  because   they  were 
not.  rigorously  executed,  and   their   violation 
was   sometimes   designedly  overlooked.*     A 


*  Sir  Robert  Walpole,  when  prime  minister  of  England, 
is  said  to  have  declared  "  that  it  was  necessary  to  pass 
over  some  irregularities  in  the  trade  of  the  colonies  with 
Europe.  For  by  encouraging  them  to  an  extensive 


78  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  ii.  scheme  for  taxing  the  colonies  by  authority  of 
1763.  parliament  had  been  formed  so  early  as  the 
year  1739,  and  recommended  to  government 
by  a  club  of  American  merchants,  at  the  head 
of  whom  was  sir  William  Keith,  governor  of 
Pennsylvania.  It  was  proposed  to  raise  a  body 
of  regulars,  to  be  stationed  along  the  western 
frontier  of  the  British  settlements,  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  Indian  traders;  the  expense  of 
which  establishment  was  to  be  paid  with  monies 
arising  from  a  duty  on  stamped  paper  and  parch- 
ment  in  all  the  colonies,  to  be  imposed  byi 
parliament.  This  plan,  however,  was  not/ 
countenanced  by  the  then  minister,  and  it 
seems  never  to  have  been  seriously  taken  up 
by  the  government  until  the  year  1754,  when 
a  war,  in  which  every  part  of  the  empire  was 
deeply  concerned,  was  about  to  commence. 
Some  of  the  colonies  themselves,  appear  then 


growing  foreign  commerce,  he  was  convinced,  that  if 
they  should  gain  7,500,000,  full  /,250,000  of  their  gains 
would,  within  two  years,  be  brought  into  his  majesty's 
exchequer  by  the  labour  and  produce  of  Great  Britain 
consumed  in  America,  a  demand  for  which  would  increase 
with  their  wealth."  The  same  able  statesman,  when  urged 
to  establish  a  system  of  internal  taxation  in  the  colonies, 
replied  with  a  smile,  "  that  he  would  leave  that  to  some 
of  his  successors,  who  should  have  more  courage,  and 
less  attachment  to  commerce  than  himself."  Confining 
them  to  the  use  of  British  manufactures  was,  he  thought, 
"  taxing  them  more  agreeably  to  their  own  constitution 
and  to  that  of  Great  Britain." 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  79 

to  have  wished,  that  a  mode  could  be  adopted  CHAP,  n. 
which  should  combine  their  exertions,  and  1763. 
equitably  apportion  their  expenses  in  the  com- 
mon cause.  The  attention  of  the  minister  was 
then  turned  to  a  plan  of  taxation  by  authority 
of  parliament;  and  it  will  be  recollected  that 
a  system  was  devised  and  recommended  by 
him,  as  a  substitute  for  the  articles  of  union 
digested  and  agreed  on  by  the  convention  at 
Albany.  The  temper  and  opinions  of  the 
•  colonists  on  this  subject,  which  means  were 
}  used  to  ascertain; — the  impolicy  of  irritating 
ithem  at  a  crisis  which  required  all  the  exer- 
^/tions  they  were  capable  of  making;  furnished 
motives  sufficient  to  induce  a  suspension,  for 
the  present,  of  a  measure  so  delicate  and  dan- 
gerous; but  it  seems  not  to  have  been  totally 
abandoned.  Of  the  right  of  parliament,  as  the 
supreme  authority  of  the  nation,  to  tax  as  well 
as  govern  the  colonies,  those  who  guided  the 
councils  of  Britain  seem  not  to  have  enter- 
tained a  doubt;  and  the  language  of  men  in 
power,  on  more  than  one  occasion  through  the 
war,  indicated  a  disposition  to  put  this  right  in 
practice,  when  the  termination  of  hostilities 
should  render  it  less  dangerous  to  do  so.  The 
conduct  of  some  of  the  colonies,  especially 
those  in  which  a  proprietary  government  was 
established,  in  failing  to  furnish  in  time  the 
aids  required  of  them,  contributed  to  foster  this 
disposition.  This  total  opposition  of  opinion, 


80  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  n.  on  a  subject  the  most  interesting  to  the  human 
1763.  heart,  was  now  about  to  produce  a  system  of 
measures  which  tore  asunder  all  the  bonds  of 
relationship  and  affection  which  had  for  ages 
subsisted,  and  planted  almost  inextinguishable 
hatred  in  bosoms  where  the  warmest  friendship 
had  so  long  been  cultivated. 

The  unexampled  expenses  of  the  war  rendered 
unavoidable  a  great  addition  to  the  regular  and 
usual  taxes  of  the  nation.  Considerable  diffi- 
culty was  found  in  searching  out  new  sources 
of  revenue,  and  great  opposition  was  made  to  ' 
every  tax  proposed.  Thus  embarrassed,  the  i 
attention.of  administration  was  directed  to  the  \ 
American  continent.  The  system  which  had 
been  laid  aside  was  renewed,  and  on  the  motion 
of  mr.  Grenville,  the  first  commissioner  of  the 
treasury,  a  resolution  passed  without  much 
debate,  importing  that  it  would  be  proper  to 
impose  certain  stamp  duties  in  the  colonies  and 
plantations,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue 
in  America,  payable  into  the  British  exchequer. 
This  resolution  was  not  carried  into  immediate 
effect,  and  was  only  declaratory  of  an  intention 
to  be  executed  the  ensuing  year. 

At  the  same  time  other  resolutions  passed, 
laying  new  duties  on  the  trade  of  the  colonies, 
which  being  iii  the  form  of  commercial  regu- 
lations were  not  generally  contested  on  the 
ground  of  right,  though  they  were  imposed 
expressly  for  the  purpose  of  raising  revenue* 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  81 

The  colonies  had  been  long  in  the  habit  of  CHAP.H. 
submitting  to  duties  laid  by  parliament  on  their  1764. 
trade,  and  had  not  generally  distinguished 
between  those  which  were  imposed  for  the  mere 
purpose  of  regulating  commerce,  and  this, 
which  being  also  designed  to  raise  a  revenue, 
was,  in  truth,  to  every  purpose,  a  real  tax. 
It  is  therefore  probable  that  this  system,  if 
unconnected  with  the  act  for  raising  a  revenue 
internally,  might  have  been  carried  into  opera- 
tion without  exciting  any  general  combination 
of  the  colonies  against  it.  Great  disgust, 
however,  was  occasioned  by  the  increase  of  the 
duties,  by  the  new  regulations  which  were 
made,  and  by  the  manner  in  which  those  regu- 
lations were  to  be  executed.  The  gainful  com- 
merce so  long  clandestinely  carried  on  with  the 
French  and  Spanish  colonies,  in  the  progress 
of  which  an  evasion  of  the  duties  imposed  by 
law  had  been  overlooked  by  the  government, 
was  now  to  be  very  rigorously  suppressed  by 
taxes  amounting  to  a  prohibition  of  any  fair 
trade,  the  exact  collection  of  which  was  to 
be  enforced  by  measures  not  much  less  offen- 
sive in  themselves,  than  on  account  of  the 
object  to  be  effected  by  them. 

Completely  to  prevent  smuggling,  all  the 
officers  in  the  sea  service,  wrho  were  on  the 
American  station,  were  converted  into  revenue 
officers,  and  directed  to  take  the  custom  house 
oaths.  Being  unacquainted  with  the  custom- 

VOL.  n.  M 


2  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  ii.  house  laws  and  usages,  many  vexatious  seizures 
1764.  were  made,  for  which  no  redress  could  be 
obtained  but  in  England.  The  penalties  and 
forfeitures  too,  accruing  under  the  act,  as  if  the 
usual  authorities  could  not  be  trusted,  were 
made  recoverable  in  any  court  of  vice  admiralty 
in  the  colonies.  It  will  readily  be  conceived, 
how  much  more  odious  a  law,  made  to  effect 
an  odious  object,  must  have  been  rendered  by 
such  provisions  as  these. 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  fate  of  the 
commercial  regulations,  the  resolution  con- 
cerning the  duties  on  stamps  excited  a  great 
and  general  ferment  in  America.  The  right  of  \ 
parliament  to  impose  taxes  on  the  colonies,  for 
the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue,  became  the 
subject  of  universal  conversation,  and  was 
almost  universally  denied.  Petitions  to  the 
king,  and  memorials  to  both  houses  of  parlia- 
ment, against  the  measure,  were  transmitted 
by  several  of  the*  provincial  assemblies  to  the 
board  of  trade  in  England,  to  be  presented 
•  immediately  to  his  majesty;  and  to  parliament, 
when  that  body  should  again  be  convened.* 
june.  The  house  of  representatives  of  Massachusetts 
instructed  their  agent  to  use  his  utmost  endea- 


*  These  petitions,  as  well  as  one  from  the  merchants 
trading  to  America,  were  not  received  by  parliament,  it 
being  alleged  to  be  contrary  to  order  to  receive  petitions 
against  money-bills. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  83 

vours  to  obtain  a  repeal  of  the  late  act  respecting  CHAP,  it. 
duties,  and  to  prevent  the  passage  of  the  stamp  1764. 
act,  or  any  other  act  levying  taxes  or  imposi- 
tions of  any  kind  on  the  American  provinces. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  act  in  the  recess 
of  the  general  court,  with  instructions  to  cor- 
respond with  the  legislatures  of  the  respective 
colonies,  to  communicate  to  them  the  instruc- 
tions given  to  their  agent,  and,  to  solicit 
their  concurrence  in  similar  measures.  These 
legislative  proceedings  were  in  many  places 
seconded  by  associations,  entered  into  by 
individuals,  for  diminishing  the  use  of  British 
manufactures. 

.  Perceiving  the  opposition  to  be  encountered 
by  adhering  to  the  vote  of  the  last  session, 
the  administration  informed  the  agents  of  the 
colonies  in  London,  that,  if  they  would  pro- 
pose any  other  mode  of  raising  the  sum  ' 
required,*  their  proposition  would  be  accepted, 
and  the  stamp  duty  laid  aside.  The  agents 
replied,  that  they  were  not  authorized  to  pro- 
pose any  substitute,  but  were  ordered  to  oppose 
the  bill,  when  it  should  be  brought  into  the 
house,  by  petitions  questioning  the  right 
claimed  by  parliament  to  tax  the  colonies. 
The  controversy  was  now  placed  on  ground 
which  seemed  to  admit  of  no  compromise. 


*  lOOjOOO/.  Sterling. 
M  2 


84  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  IT.   The   right  of  taxation   was   as   peremptorily 
1765.    denied  by  one  party,  as  it  was  asserted  by  the 

March  10.  other.  Determined  to  persevere  in  the  system 
he  had  adopted,  and  believing  successful  resis- 
tance to  be  absolutely  impossible,  mr.  Grenville 
brought  into  parliament  his  celebrated  act  for 
imposing  stamp  duties  in  America,  and  it 
passed  both  houses  by  very  great  majorities, 
but  not  without  animated  debate.  So  little 
weight  does  the  human  mind  allow  to  arguments 
the  most  conclusive,  when  directed  against  the 
existence  of  power  in  ourselves,  that  general 
Conway  stood  alone,  in  denying  the  right 
claimed  by  the  British  legislature.  He  alone* 
had  the  courage  to  stem  the  torrent  of  public 
opinion,  and  with  magnanimous  firmness  to 
protest  against  their  right  to  give  away  the 
money  of  those,  who  were  not  represented  in 
that  body." 

The  arguments  of  the  minority,  on  this 
interesting  occasion,  were  unusually  ardent. 
The  claim  of  England  was  declared  "to  be 
diametrically  opposite  to  the  letter  and  spirit  of 
their  constitution,  which  has  established  as  a 
fundamental  axiom,  that  taxation  and  repre- 
sentation are  inseparable  from  each  other;  and, 


*  Mr.  Pitt  was  not  in  the  house  ;  and  mr.  Ingersoll  in 
his  letter  states  that  alderman  Beckford  joined  general 
Conway.  , 

a  Belsham, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  §5 

that  as  the  colonies  were  not,  and  from  local  CHAP.  n. 
and  political  obstacles  could  not  be,  repre-  1755. 
sented  in  the  British  parliament,  it  would  be 
the  very  essence  of  tyranny  to  attempt  to 
exercise  an  authority  over  them,  which  from 
its  nature  must  inevitably  lead  to  gross  abuse. 
For  when  Great  Britain  should  be  in  full  pos- 
session of  the  power  now  contended  for,  could 
it  be  imagined  that  parliament  would  not  rather 
vote  away  the  money  of  the  colonists,  than  of 
themselves  and  their  own  constituents  ?" 

The  measure  was  treated,  not  only  as  tyran- 
Y  nical,  but  as  unnecessary  also.  America,  it 
•f  was  said,  "  had  never  been  deficient  in  contri- 
buting her  full  proportion  towards  the  expenses 
of  the  wars,  in  which,  conjointly  with  England, 
she  had  been  involved;  and  that,  in  the  course 
of  the  last  memorable  contest,  large  sums  had 
been  repeatedly  voted,  as  an  indemnification  • 
to  the  colonies,  for  exertions  allowed  to  be  dis- 
proportionate to  their  means  and  resources."* 
Mr.  Grenville  had  concluded  a  long  argument 
in  favour  of  the  bill  with  saying  "these  chil- 
dren of  our  own  planting,  nourished  by  our 


*  Parliament  had  granted  at  different  times  to  the 
American  colonies,  by  way  of  reimbursement  for  their 
extraordinary  expenses  in  the  course  of  the  last  war,  the 
sum  of  1,03 1,666 /.  13s.  4d.  sterling.  And  the  colonists 
are  said  to  have  lost  in  the  course  of  the  war  nearly  thirty 
thousand  of  their  young  men. 


86  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  IT.   indulgence   until   they    are    grown  to  a  good 
1765.    degree  of  strength  and  opulence,  and  protected 
by  our  arms,  will  they  grudge  to  contribute 
their  mite  to  relieve  us  from  the  heavy  load  of 
national   expense,  which  we  lie  under?"     In 
answer  to  this  observation,  colonel  Barre,   in- 
dignantly and  eloquently  exclaimed,  "Children 
planted  by  your  care!"    "No!  your  oppression 
planted  them  in  America.    They  fled  from  your 
tyranny  into  a  then  uncultivated  land,  where 
they  were  exposed  to  all  the  hardships  to  which 
human  nature  is  liable,  and  among  others,  to 
the  savage  cruelty  of  the  enemy  of  the  country, 
a  people  the  most  subtle,    and,    I   will  take 
upon  me  to  say,   the  most  terrible  that  ever 
inhabited  any  part  of  God's  earth.     And  yet, 
actuated  by  principles  of  true  English  liberty, 
they  met  all  these   hardships   with  pleasure, 
compared  with  those  they  suffered  in  their  own 
country  from  those  who  should  have  been  their 
friends.    "  They  nourished  by  your  indulgence!" 
"No !  they  grew  by  your  neglect.  When  you  be- 
gan to  care  about  them,  that  care  was  exercised 
in  sending  persons  to  rule  over  them,  who  were 
the  deputies  of  some  deputy  sent  to  spy  out 
their  liberty,  to  misrepresent  their  actions,  and 
to  prey  upon  them:.... men,  whose  behaviour, 
on  many  occasions,  has  caused  the  blood  of 
those  sons  of  liberty  to  recoil  within  them  :.... 
men  promoted  to  the  highest  seats  of  justice, 
some  of  whom  were  glad,  by  going  to  a  foreign 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  87 

country,  to  escape  being  brought  to  the  bar  of  CHAP.H. 
justice  in  their  own.  "  They  protected  by  your  ires. 
arms?"  They  have  nobly  taken  up  arms  in 
your  defence,;  have  exerted  their  valour,  amidst 
their  constant  and  laborious  industry,  for  the 
defence  of  a  country,  the  interior  of  which, 
while  its  frontiers  were  drenched  in  blood,  has 
yielded  all  its  little  savings  to  your  enlargement. 
Believe  me.... remember •,  I  this  day  told' you  so; 
the  same  spirit  'which  actuated  that  people  at  first ^ 
still  continues  with  them:.... but  prudence  for- 
bids me  to  explain  myself  further.  God  knows, 
I  do  not  at  this  time  speak  from  party  heat. 
However  superior  to  me,  in  general  knowledge 
and  experience,  any  one  here  may  be,  I  claim 
to  know  more  of  America,  having  seen  and 
been  conversant  in  that  country.  The  people 
there  are  as  truly  loyal,  I  believe,  as  any  subjects 
the  king  has;  but  a  people  jealous  of  their 
liberties,  and  who  will  vindicate  them  if  they 

should  be  violated but  the  subject  is  delicate 

....I  will  say  no  more." 

The  passage  of  this  act,  the  operation  of 
which  was  to  commence  on  the  first  of 
November,  excited  throughout  the  colonies 

the  most  serious  and  universal  alarm.     It  was 

• 

believed  sincerely  to  wound  vitally  the  consti- 
tution of  the  country,  and  to  destroy  the  most 
sacred  principles  of  liberty.  Combinations 
against  its  execution  were  every  where  formed ; 
and  the  utmost  exertions  were  used  to  render  as 
diffusive  as  possible,  a  knowledge  of  the  per- 


88  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP-  "•  nicious  consequences  which  must  flow  from 
1765.    admitting  that  America  could  be  taxed  by  a 
legislature  in  which  she  was  not  represented. 

The  assembly  of  Virginia  was  in  session 
when  the  intelligence  was  .received.  The 
subject  was  taken  up,  and,  by  a  small  majority, 
May  39.  several  resolutions  which  had  been  introduced 
by  mr.  Henry,  and  seconded  by  mr.  Johnson* 
were  agreed  to,  one  of  which  asserts  the  exclu- 
sive right  of  that  assembly  to  lay  taxes  and 
impositions  on  the  inhabitants  of  that  colony, 
and  that  every  attempt  to  vest  such  a  power 
elsewhere  "  is  illegal,  unconstitutional,  and 
unjust,  and  has  a  manifest  tendency  to  destroy 
British  as  well  as  American  freedom." 

On  the  passage  of  these  resolutions  the 
governor  dissolved  the  assembly,  and  writs  for 
new  elections  were  issued.  But  so  entirely  did 
the  people  take  part  with  the  opposition  to  the 
scheme  of  taxation  proposed  by  ministers,  that 
in  almost  every  instance,  the  members  who 
had  voted  in  favour  of  the  resolutions,  were 
re-elected,  while  those  who  had  voted  against 
them,  were  generally  excluded  in  favour  of 
June-  candidates  who  entertained  popular  opinions. 

The  legislatures  of  several  other  colonies 
passed  resolutions  similar  to  those  of  Virginia, 
and  the  house  of  representatives  of  Massachus- 
setts,  contemplating  a  still  more  solemn  and 


*  See  Note,  No.  IV.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  g 

effectual  expression  of  the  general  sentiment,  CHAP.H. 


recommended  a  congress  of  deputies  from  all  1755. 
the  colonial  assemblies,  to  meet  at  New  York 
the  first  tuesday  in  October,  to  consult  together 
on  the  present  circumstances  of  the  colonies, 
and  the  difficulties  to  which  they  are,  and 
must  be  reduced  by  the  operation  of  the  acts 
of  parliament,  for  levying  taxes  on  them. 
Circular  letters  signed  by  the  speaker,  com- 
municating this  recommendation,  were  ad- 
dressed to  the  several  speakers  of  the  respective 
provincial  assemblies,  and  wherever  they  were 
in  session,  the  recommendation  was  acted  on. 
New  Hampshire  alone,  although  joining  in  the 
general  opposition,  declined  sending  members 
to  the  congress  ;  and  the  legislatures  of  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina  were  not  in  session. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  papers  teemed  with 
the  most  animating  exhortations  to  the  people, 
to  unite  in  the  defence  of  their  liberty,  and 
property;  and  the  stamp  officers,*  almost  every 
where,  were  compelled  to  resign. 


*  They  were  generally  gentlemen  of  influence  in  the 
several  provinces,  who  were  recommended  by  the  colonial 
agents;. ...so  little  did  they  expect  the  serious  opposition, 
made  in  America,  to  this  measure.  Mr.  Gordon  says, 
that  doctor  Franklin  advised  mr.  Ingersoll  to  accept  the 
appointment  which  was  offered  him,  and  added,  at  the 
same  time,  "  go  home,  and  tell  your  countrymen  to  get 
children  as  fast  as  they  can;"  plainly  alluding  to  their 
supposed  present  inability  to  resist  the  power  of  Britain. 

VOL.    II.  N 


0etoW 


PQ  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  n.  At  the  time  appointed,  the  commissioners 
1765.  from  the  assemblies  of  Massachusetts,  Rhode 
Island,  Connecticut,  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  the  three  lower  counties  on  the 
Delaware,  Maryland,  and  South  Carolina,  as- 
sembled atNewYork;  and  Timothy  Ruggles,  esq. 
of  Massachusetts,  having  been  chosen  their 
chairman,  they  proceeded  on  the  important 
objects  for  which  they  had  convened.  The 
first  measure  of  the  congress  was  a  declaration* 
of  the  rights  and  grievances  of  the  colonists. 
This  paper  asserts  them  to  be  entitled  to  all  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  natural  born  subjects 
within  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  ;  among 
the  most  essential  of  which,  are,  the  exclusive 
power  to  tax  themselves,  and  the  privilege  of  a 
trial  by  jury. 

The  grievance  most  complained  of  wras,  the 
act  granting  certain  stamp  duties  and  other 
duties  in  the  British  colonies,  the  direct  ten- 
dency of  which,  they  said,  by  taxing  the 
colonists  without  their  consent,  and  by  extend- 
ing the  jurisdiction  of  courts  of  admiralty,  was 
to  subvert  their  rights  and  liberties. 

A  petition  to  the  king  was  also  agreed  on, 
together  with  a  memorial  to  each  house  of 
parliament. 

These  papers  were  drawn  with  temper  and 
firmness.  They  express  unequivocally,  the 

*  See  Note,  No.  V.  at  the  end  of  the  volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  Ql 

attachment   of    the    colonists   to   the   mother  CHAP.  u. 
country,  and  assert  the  rights  they  claim,  in     1765. 
the  style  of  conviction. 

In  addition  to  these  measures,  congress 
recommended  to  the  several  colonies  to  appoint 
special  agents,  who  should  unite  their  utmost 
endeavours  in  soliciting  redress  of  grievances  ; 
and  having  directed  their  clerk  to  make  out  a 
copy  of  their  proceedings  for  each  colony,  they 
adjourned. 

To  interest  the  people  of  England  against 
the  measures  of  administration,  associations 
were  formed,  in  every  part  of  the  continent, 
for  the  encouragement  of  domestic  manufac- 
tures, and  against  the  use  of  those  imported 
from  Great  Britain.  To  increase  their  quantity 
of  wool,  they  determined  to  kill  no  lambs,  and 
to  use  all  the  means  in  their  power  to  multiply 
their  flocks  of  sheep.  As  a  security  against 
the  use  of  stamps,  proceedings  in  the  courts 
of  justice  were  suspended,  and  it  was  earnestly 
recommended  to  settle  all  controversies  by 
arbitration.  While  this  determined  and  sys- 
tematic opposition  was  made  by  the  thinking 
part  of  the  community,  there  were  some  riotous  yioiepce 
and  disorderly  meetings,  especially  in  the  large  gre<ittowns» 
towns,  which  threatened  serious  consequences. 
Many  houses  were  destroyed,  much  property 
injured,  and  several  persons,  highly  respectable 
in  character  and  station,  grossly  abused.  These 
violences  received  no  countenance  from  the 

N  2 


92  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  ii.  leading  members  of  society,  but  it  was  extremely 
1765.  difficult  to  stimulate  the  mass  of  the  people  to 
that  vigorous  and  persevering  opposition  which 
was  deemed  essential  to  the  preservation  of 
American  liberty,  and  yet  to  restrain  all  those 
excesses  which  disgrace,  and  often  defeat  the 
wisest  measures.  In  Connecticut  and  New 
York,  originated  an  association  of  persons  styl- 
ing themselves  the  "  sons  of  liberty,"  who 
bound  themselves,  among  other  things,  to 
march  to  any  part  of  the  continent,  at  their  own 
expense,  to  support  the  British  constitution  in 
America;  by  Avhich  was  expressly  stated  to  be 
understood,  the  prevention  of  any  attempt 
which  might  any  where  be  made,  to  carry  the 
stamp  act  into  operation.  A  corresponding 
committee  of  these  "  sons  of  liberty"  was 
established,  who  addressed  letters  to  certain 
conspicuous  characters  throughout  the  colonies, 
and  contributed,  very  materially,  to  increase 
the  spirit  of  opposition,  and  perhaps,  the  tur- 
bulence with  wrhich  it  was  in  some  places 
attended. 

change  of        While  these  transactions  were  takinsr  place 

the  admi-  O    •» 

lustration.  m  America,  causes  entirely  unconnected  with 
the  affairs  of  the  colonies  produced  a  total 
revolution  in  the  British  cabinet.  The  Gren- 
ville  party  was  succeeded  by  an  administration 
unfriendly  to  a  further  prosecution  of  the  plan 
for  taxing  the  colonies  without  their  consent. 
General  Conway,  now  one  of  the  principal 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  93 

secretaries  of  state,  Addressed  a  circular  letter  CHAP,  n. 
to  the  respective  governors  of  the  colonies,  in     1755. 
which  he  disapproved,  in  mild  terms,  the  violent  September. 
measures  which  had  been  adopted  in  America,  ~ 
and  recommended  to  them,  while  they  main-    October. 
tained  the  dignity  of  the  crown  and  of  parliament, 
to  observe  a  temperate  and  conciliatory  con- 
duct towards  the  colonists,  and  endeavour,  by  all 
persuasive  means,  to  restore  the  public  peace. 

Parliament  was  opened  by  a  speech  from  the     ires. 
throne,    in  which  his    majesty  declared  "  his  — 
firm  confidence  in  their  wisdom  and  zeal,  which 
would,  he  doubted  not,    guide  them  to  such 
sound  and  prudent  resolutions,  as  might  tend 
at  once  to  preserve  the  constitutional  rights  of 
the  British  legislature  over  the  colonies,    and 
to  restore  to  them  that  harmony  and  tranquillity, 
which  had  lately  been  interrupted  by  disorders  of 
the  most  dangerous  nature." 

In  the  course  of  the  debate  in  the  house  of 
commons,  on  the  motion  for  the  address,  mr. 
Pitt  in  the  most  explicit  terms,  condemned  the 
act  for  collecting  the  stamp  duties  in  America, 
and  declared  his  opinion  to  be,  that  parliament 
had  no  right  to  tax  the  colonies.  At  the  same 
time  he  asserted  "  the  authority  of  that  kingdom 
to  be  sovereign  and  supreme  in  every  circum- 
stance of  government  and  legislation  whatever. ' ' 
He  maintained  the  difficult  proposition  "  that 
taxation  is  no  part  of  the  governing  or  legislative 
power  ;  but  that  taxes  are  a  voluntary  gift  and 


94  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  it  grant  of  the  commons  alo^e."  He  concluded 
1766.  a  very  able  and  very  eloquent  speech,  by  recom- 
mending to  the  house  "  that  the  stamp  act  be 
repealed,  absolutely,  totally  and  immediately." 
The  opinions,  which  had  been  maintained  by 
mr.  Pitt,  were  very  warmly  opposed  by  the  late 
ministers  headed  by  mr.  Grenville.  He  said 
"  that  the  disturbances  in  America  were  grown 
to  tumults  and  riots ;  he  doubted,  they  bordered 
on  open  rebellion  ;  and,  if  the  doctrine  he  had 
heard  that  day  should  be  confirmed,  he  feared 
they  would  lose  that  name,  to  take  that  of  revo- 
lution. The  government  over  them  being  dis- 
solved, a  revolution"  he  said  "  would  take 
place  in  America."  He  contended  that  taxation 
was  a  part  of  the  sovereign  power ; . . . .  one  branch 
of  the  legislation;  and  had  been  exercised  over 
those  who  were  not  represented.  He  could  not 
comprehend  the  distinction  between  external 
and  internal  taxation,  and  insisted  that  the 
colonies  ought  to  bear  a  part  of  the  burdens, 
occasioned  by  a  war  for  their  defence. 
stamp  act  The  existing:  administration,  however,  con- 

repealed. 

curred  in  sentiment  with  mr.  Pitt,  and  the  act 

March. 

was  repealed;  but  its  repeal  was  accompanied 

with  a  declaratory  act,  asserting  the  power  and 
right  of  Great  Britain  to  bind  the  colonies  in 
all  cases  whatsoever. 

The  joy  in  America,  on  receivingintelligence 
of  this  event,  was  unbounded.  The  assertion 
of  the  abstract  principle  of  right  gave  them  but 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  95 

little  concern,  because  they  considered  it  merely  CHAP,  n. 
as  a  salvo  for  the  wounded  pride  of  the  nation,     1766. 
and  believed  confidently  that  no  future  attempt 
would  be  made  to  reduce  it  to  practice.     The 
highest  honours  were  every  where  conferred  on 
those  parliamentary  leaders, who  had  been  active 
in  obtaining  a  repeal  of  the  act ;  and  in  Virginia, 
an  act  passed  the  house  of  burgesses  for  erecting 
a  statue  to  his  majesty,  as  an  acknowledgment 
of  their  high  sense  of  his  attention  to  the  rights 
and  petitions  of  his  people.     With  the  repealing 
and  declaratory  acts,  came  a  circular  letter  from 
secretary  Con  way,  extolling  "  the  moderation, 
the   forbearance,    the   unexampled    lenity    and 
tenderness  of  parliament  towards  the  colonies ;" 
this  signal  display  of  which,  he  hoped,   "  could 
not  but  dispose  them  to  that  return  of  cheerful 
obedience  to  the  laws  and  legislative  authority 
of  Great  Britain,  .and  to  those  sentiments  of 
respectful   gratitude   to   the   mother   country, 
which    are    the    natural,    and,"    he    trusted, 
"  would  be,  the  certain  effects  of  so  much  grace 
and  condescension,   so  remarkably  manifested 
on  the  part  of  his  majesty,  and  of  the  parlia- 
ment." 

Although  the  sentiment  of  joy,  produced  by 
the  repeal  of  the  stamp  act,  was  common  to  all 
the  colonies.,  the  same  temper  did  not  prevail 
in  all  of  them.  The  commercial  regulations 
excited,  in  the  northern  trading  towns,  scarcely 
less  disgust  than  had  been  created  by  the  stamp 


95  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  ii.  act  itself:  in  addition  to  which,  political  parties 
1766.  had  been  formed,  and  had  assumed  a  bitterness 
in  some  of  the  colonies  entirely  unknown  in 
others,  and  the  first  measures  of  Massachussetts 
and  New  York  demonstrated,  that  the  recon- 
ciliation with  the  mother  country  was  not  yet 
cordial. 

The  letter  of  secretary  Conway,  already 
mentioned,  enclosed  also  a  resolution  of  parlia- 
ment, declaring  that  those  persons  who  had 
suffered  any  injury  or  damage  in  consequence  of 
their  assisting  to  execute  the  late  act,  ought  to 
be  compensated  by  the  colonies  in  which  such 
injuries  were  sustained. 

The  injuries  complained  of,  had  been  prin- 
cipally sustained  in  Massachussetts,  and  the 
resolution  of  parliament  was  laid  before  the 
_  general  court  of  that  province  by  governor 
Bernard,  in  a  speech,  rather  in  the  spirit  of  the 
late,  than  of  the  present  administration — rather 
calculated  to  irritate,  than  assuage  the  angry 
passions  which  had  lately  been  excited.  The 
house  of  representatives  resented  his  manner 
of  addressing  them,  and  appeared  more  dis- 
posed to  inquire  into  the  riots,  and  to  com- 
pel those  concerned  in  them  to  make  indem- 
nities, than  to  compensate  the  sufferers  out  of 
the  public  purse.  But  after  a  second  session, 
and  some  intimation  that  parliament  would 
enforce  its  requisition,  the  desire  of  avoiding 
further  controversies  with  the  government, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  97 

especially  on  a  point  which  would  unite  the  CHAP,  n. 
prejudices  of  all  thinking  men  against  them,  1766. 
and  the  real  detestation  in  which  those  dis- 
graceful tumults  were  held,  got  the  better  of 
their  resentment  against  the  governor,  and  an 
act  of  pardon  to  the  offenders,  and  of  indemnity 
to  the  sufferers,  was  passed ;  but  it  was  rejected 
by  the  king,  because  the  colonial  assembly  had  December. 
no  power  under  their  charter  to  pass  an  act  of 
general  pardon  but  at  the  instance  of  the  crown. 
In  New  York,  where  general  Gage  was 
expected  with  a  considerable  body  of  troops, 
a  message  was  transmitted  by  the  governor  to 
the  legislature,  desiring  their  compliance  with 
an  act  of  parliament  called  the  mutiny  act, 
which  required  that  the  colony,  in  which  any 
of  his  majesty's  forces  might  be  stationed, 
should  provide  for  them  barracks,  and  certain 
necessaries  in  their  quarters.  The  legislature 
postponed  the  consideration  of  this  message 
until  the  troops  had  actually  arrived,  and  then, 
after  a  second  message  from  the  governor, 
reluctantly  and  partially  complied  with  the 
requisitions  of  the  act. 

At  a  subsequent  session,  the  governor  brought  £ptI£s'tio" 
the  subject  again  before  them,  when  they  deter-  mutiny  act* 
mined  that  the  act  of  parliament  could  only  be 
construed  to  require  that  they  should  provide 
necessaries   for   troops   on  a  march,   and   not 
while  permanently  stationed  in  their  country, 
because,  on  a  contrary  construction,  the  colony 

VOL.    II.  O 


98  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  IT.  might  be  grievously  burdened  by  marching 
1766.  into  it  several  regiments. 

The  reason  assigned  for  not  complying  with 
this  act  of  parliament,  seems  to  evidence  the 
opinion  that  it  was  rightfully  obligatory  :  and 
yet  the  requisitions  of  the  mutiny  act  were 
unquestionably  a  tax,  and  between  the  power 
of  parliament  to  levy  a  tax  by  its  own  authority, 
and  to  levy  a  tax  through  the  medium  of  the 
colonial  legislatures,  they  having  no  right  to 
refuse  obedience  to  the  act,  no  essential  dis- 
tinction can  easily  be  drawn.  It  is  strange  that 
such  inaccurate  ideas  should  then  have  pre- 
vailed, in  any  part  of  the  continent,  concerning 
the  control  which  might  rightfully  be  exer- 
cised by  the  British  parliament  over  the  colo- 
nies. 

It  was  considered  in  England,  as  evidencing 
a  strong  disposition  on  the  part  of  ministers  to 
avoid  all  harsh  measures,  that  this  instance  of 
disobedience  wras  punished  with  no  positive 
penalties;  but,  resisting  all  the  violent  propo- 
sitions of  those  who  contended  that  America 
was  in  a  state  of  absolute  disorder  and  open 
rebellion,  they  contented  themselves  with  a 
law  prohibiting  the  governor,  council,  and 
assembly  of  the  province,  from  passing  any 
act  until  the  requisition  of  parliament  had  been 
in  every  respect  complied  with. 

The  persevering  temper  of  Massachussetts 
had  not  yet  found  its  way  to  New  York,  and 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  99 

this  measure  produced  the  desired  effect.    The  CHAP.IL 
mutiny  act  was  literally  complied  with.  1766. 

Two  companies  of  artillery,  driven  into  the   October. 
harbour  of  Boston  by  stress  of  weather,  ap- 
plied to  the  governor  for  the  necessary  and 
usual  supplies.    He  laid  the  application  before 
his  council  who  advised  that,  "  in  pursuance  of 
the  act  of  parliament,"  the  supplies  required 
should  be  furnished.     They  were  furnished, 
and   the   money,    amounting  to    about   sixty 
pounds  sterling,  drawn  from  the  treasury  by 
the  authority  of  the  executive.  

The  general  court  met  soon  after,  and  the    1767. 
house  of  representatives,  very  early  in  the  ses — a""ary' 
sion,  sent  a  message  to  the  governor,  request- 
ing to  know  whether  any  provision  had  been 
made  for  his  majesty's  troops  lately  arrived  in 
their  harbour,  and  by  whom  ?  and  whether  he 
had  reason  to  expect  the  arrival  of  any  more 
troops  to  be  quartered  on  that  province  ? 

The  governor  in  reply  transmitted  them  the 
journals  of  the  council,  with  an  account  of  the 
expense  incurred,  and  also  informed  them  that 
he  had  no  reason  to  expect  the  arrival  of  any 
additional  body  of  troops. 

The  house  expressed,  in  very  pointed  terms, 
their  disapprobation  of  the  conduct  of  the 
governor.  "He  had  no  right,"  they  said,  "on 
the  advice  of  council,  to  issue  money  out  of 
the  treasury,  but  in  conformity  with  such  acts 
as  may,  at  the  time,  be  in  force  within  the 
o  2 


100  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP-  "•  province  ;  and  in  the  case  of  his  exceeding  his 
1767.  authority  under  the  pressure  of  urgent  necessity, 
it  was  his  duty  to  seize  the  first  occasion  for 
laying  the  matter  before  that  house.  But  parti- 
cular umbrage  was  excited  by  the  declaration, 
that  these  steps  had  been  taken  in  pursuance  of 
an  act  of  parliament.  After  the  repeal  of  the 
stamp  act,  they  were  surprised  to  find  that 
this  act,  equally  odious  and  unconstitutional, 
should  remain  in  force.  They  lamented  the 
entry  of  this  reason  for  the  advice  of  council 
the  more,  as  it  was  an  unwarrantable  and 
unconstitutional  step,  which  totally  disabled 
them  from  testifying  the  same  cheerfulness 
they  had  always  shown  in  granting  to  his 
majesty  of  their  free  accord,  such  aids  as  his 
service  has,  from  time  to  time,  required." 

February.  Copies  of  these  messages  were  transmitted 
by  governor  Bernard  to  the  ministry,  in  a 
manner  not  calculated  to  render  the  communi- 
cation less  unpleasant. 

The  idea  of  raising  a  revenue  in  America  was 
highly  favoured  in  England,  especially  by  the 
landed  interest;  and  not  even  the  weight  of 
administration  could  have  obtained  a  repeal  of 
the  stamp  act,  on  the  naked  principle  of  right. 
Few  were  hardy  enough  to  question  the 
supremacy  of  parliament,  and  their  having 
receded  from  the  practical  assertion  of  their 
power  to  tax  the  colonists,  deeply  wounded  the 
pride,  and  grated  harshly  on  the  feelings,  not 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  101 

only  of  the  king,  who  was  supposed  to  be  still  CHAP,  n. 
under  the  influence  of  the  earl  of  Bute,  but  1767. 
of  a  considerable  part  of  the  nation. 

The  temper  now  discovered  in  some  of  the 
colonies  was  by  no  means  calculated  to  assuage 
the  wound  which  this  measure  had  inflicted  on 
the  haughty  spirit  of  the  rulers  of  that  country, 
and  is  supposed  to  have  contributed,  in  no 
small  degree,  to  the  revival  of  a  system  which 
had  been  reluctantly  abandoned. 

Charles  Townshend,  chancellor  of  the  ex- 
chequer, in  an  administration  formed  by  lord 
Chatham,  a  man  of  splendid  and  versatile 
talents,  said  boastingly,  in  the  house  of  com- 
mons, that  he  knew  "  how  to  draw  a  revenue 
from  the  colonies,  without  giving  them 
offence. "b  Mr.  Grenville  eagerly  caught  at 
the  declaration,  and  instantly  urged  this  mi- 
nister to  pledge  himself  to  bring  forward  the 
measure  at  which  he  had  hinted.  A  bill  had  Jmie- 
been  decided  on  in  the  cabinet,  during  the 
sickness  and  absence  of  lord  Chatham,  whose 
infirmities  had,  for  the  time,  impaired  both 
his  talents  and  his  influence,  for  imposing 
certain  duties  on  tea,  glass,  paper  and  painters' 
colours  imported  into  the  colonies  from  Great 
Britain.  This  bill  was  now  brought  into 
parliament,  and  passed  almost  without  oppo- 


b  Bdsham. 


102  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  n.   sition.  The  taxes  it  imposed  were  appropriated, 
1767.    in  the  first  instance,    to  the  payment  of  the 
salaries  of  the  governors,  judges,   and  other 
officers  of  government. 

The  friends  of  America  in  England  had 
distinguished  between  internal  and  external 
taxation;  and  the  same  distinction  had  also 
been  made  in  the  colonies.  As  the  power  of 
parliament  to  impose  duties,  for  the  purpose 
of  commercial  regulations,  had  never  been 
doubted,  it  is  possible  that  if  the  present  mea- 
sure had  been  adopted  in  the  first  instance, 
it  might,  as  well  as  the  act  laying  a  duty  on 
sugars,  have  been  submitted  to  without  ex- 
amination. But  the  discussions  to  which  the 
stamp  act  had  given  birth,  had  greatly  enlarged 
the  circle  of  political  information  in  America, 
and  while  they  rendered  more  diffusive  among 
the  colonists,  a  knowledge  of  their  rights,  had 
inspired  also  a  much  more  accurate  mode  of 
thinking  respecting  them. 

The  present  duties  were  plainly  intended, 
not  to  regulate  commerce,  but  to  raise  a 
revenue,  which  would  be  as  certainly  collected 
from  the  colonists,  as  the  duties  on  stamps 
could  have  been.  The  principle  of  the  two 
measures  was  precisely  the  same.  The  mode 
of  attack  indeed  was  varied,  but  the  same 
object  was  still  pursued.  Many  of  the  Ameri- 
cans were  now  too  intelligent  to  be  misguided 
by  the  distinction  between  internal  and  external 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  1Q3 

taxation,  or  by  the  precedents  quoted  in  support  CHAP.H. 
of  the  right  contended  for.  This,  they  said,  irer. 
was  plainly  an  internal  tax,  as  the  duties  would 
be  unavoidably  paid  in  the  country;  and  if 
external,  yet  it  was  imposed,  not  for  the  purpose 
of  regulating  or  restraining  trade,  but  of  raising 
a  revenue,  It  was  considered  as  establishing 
a  precedent  of  taxation  for  the  mere  purpose 
of  revenue,  which  might  afterwards  be  extended 
at  the  discretion  of  parliament,  and  was  spoken 
of  as  the  entering  wedge,  designed  to  make  way 
for  impositions  too  heavy  to  be  borne.  The 
appropriation  of  the  money  did  not  lessen  the 
odium  of  the  tax.  The  colonial  legislatures 
considered  the  dependence  of  the  governors  i 
and  other  officers,  on  them,  for  their  salaries, 
as  the  best  security  for  their  attending  to  the 
interests,  and  cultivating  the  affections  of  the 
provinces.  c 

With  these  sentiments  concerning  the  act,  it  Actimposmg 
was  not  stranere  that  a  determination  was  made  ^mbtS" 

in  America. 

to  oppose  its  execution :  yet  the  idea  of  its  un- 
constitutionally was  not  taken  up  so  suddenly 
or  so  universally  as  had  been  witnessed  in  the 
case  of  the  stamp  act.  Many  very  able  political 
essays  appeared  in  the  papers,  demonstrating 
the  violation  contained  in  this  law,  of  the 
principles  of  the  English  constitution,  and  of 


c  Prior  documents. 


104  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. ii.   English  liberty;   and  earnestly  exhorting  the 

1767.  people   of  America  to  take  measures  which 
Avould  defeat  its  operation.    The  effect  of  these 
essays  was  gradual,  but  certain;  and  the  public 
judgment  seemed  at  length  convinced  that  the 
same  principle  which  had  before  been  succes- 
fully  opposed  was  again  approaching  under  a 
different  garb. 

The  general  court  of  Massachussetts  met  in 
December,  and  very  early  in  the  session,  took 

1768.  under  their  consideration  several  acts  of  par- 

January. 

liament,  which  during  the  recess,  had  been 

transmitted  to  the  colony.  They  perceived 
plainly  that  the  claim  to  tax  America  was 
revived,  and  they  determined  to  oppose  it  with 
all  the  means  in  their  power. 

The  assembly      A  very  elaborate   letter  was  addressed  to 

of  Massa-  J 

address18      Demiis.de  Bert,  agent  for  the  house  of  repre- 
levlr'i*0      sentatives,    in    which   are    detailed,    at    great 

members  of  .  . 

theadmini.  length,   and  with  much  weight  of  argument, 

stration  in 

England,  ^j  tjie  objections  to  be  made  to  the  late  acts  of 
parliament.  Letters  signed  by  the  speaker 
were  also  addressed  to  the  earl  of  Shelburne 
and  general  Conway,  secretaries  of  state;  to 
the  marquis  of  Rockingham,  lord  Camden,  the 
earl  of  Chatham,  and  the  lords  commisioners  of 
the  treasury.  These  letters,  while  they  breathe 
a  spirit  of  ardent  attachment  to  the  British 
constitution  and  the  British  nation,  manifest 
a  perfect  conviction  that  their  complaints  were 
just:  a  conviction  founded  on  an  entire  under- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  105 

standing  of  the  soundest  political  principles,  CHAP.  n. 
which  ought  to  have  arrested  the  mad  course     ires. 
now  recommenced. 

"Conscious  of  their  own  disposition,"  say 
they  to  general  Conway,  "  they  rely  upon  that 
candour  which  is  a  distinguished  mark  of  your 
character.  And  however  they  may  have  been 
represented  to  his  majesty's  ministers  as  undu- 
tiful,  turbulent,  and  factious,  your  sentiments 
are  too  generous  to  impute  expressions  of  un- 
easiness under  the  operation  of  any  particular 
acts  of  the  British  parliament  to  a  peevish,  or 
discontented  habit,  much  less  to  the  want  of  a 
due  veneration  for  that  august  assembly. 

"  This  house  is  at  all  times  ready  to  recognise 
his  majesty's  high  court  of  parliament,  the 
supreme  legislative  power  over  the  whole 
empire.  Its  superintending  authority,  in  all 
cases  consistent  with  the  fundamental  rules  of 
the  constitution,  is  as  clearly  admitted  by  his 
majesty's  subjects  iivthis  province  as  by  those 
within  the  realm.  Since  the  constitution  of  the 
state,  as  it  ought  to  be,  is  fixed;  it  is  humbly 
presumed  that  the  subjects  in  every  part  of  the 
empire,  however  remote,  have  an  equitable 
claim  to  all  the  advantages  of  it."  d 

To  the  earl  of  Shelburne,  after  stating  the 
hardships  encountered  by  their  fathers,  and 


A  Prior  documents. 
VOL.   II.  P 


1Q6  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  u.  their  attachment  to  the  mother  country,  they 
1768.    insist  that  the  common  law,  as  well  as  their 
charter,  gives  them  all  the  rights  and  liberties 
of  British  subjects. 

"  The  spirit  of  the  law  of  nature  and  nations" 
they  proceed  to  say,  "  supposes  that  all  the 
free  subjects  of  any  kingdom,  are  entitled 
equally  to  all  the  rights  of  the  constitution; 
for  it  appears  unnatural  and  unreasonable  to 
affirm,  that  local,  or  any  other  circumstances, 
can  justly  deprive  any  part  of  the  subjects  of 
the  same  prince,  of  the  full  enjoyment  of  the 
rights  of  that  constitution,  upon  which  the 
government  itself  is  formed,  and  by  which 
sovereignty  and  allegiance  are  ascertained  and 
limited. 

"  There  are,  my  lord,  fundamental  rules  of 
the  constitution  which  it  is  humbly  presumed 
neither  the  supreme  legislative  nor  the  supreme 
executive  can  alter.  In  all  free  states  the  con- 
stitution is  fixed.  It  is  from  thence  the  legis- 
lative derives  its  authority.  Therefore  it  cannot 
change  the  constitution  without  destroying 
its  own  foundation.  If  then  the  constitution 
of  Great  Britain  is  the  common  right  of  all 
British  subjects,  it  is  humbly  referred  to  your 
lordship's  judgment,  whether  the  supreme 
legislative  of  the  empire  may  rightly  leap  the 
.  bounds  of  it,  in  the  exercise  of  power  over  the 
subjects  in  America,  any  more,  than  over  those 
in  Britain. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  1Q7 

"It  is  the  glory  of  the  British  constitution  CHAP. n. 
that  it  has  its  foundation  in  the  laws  of  God  1768. 
and  nature.  It  is  essentially  a  right  that  a  man 
shall  quietly  enjoy,  and  have  the  disposal  of 
his  own  property.  This  right  is  ingrafted  into 
the  British  constitution,  and  is  familiar  to  the 
American  subjects;  and  your  lordship  will 
judge  whether  any  necessity  can  render  it  just 
and  equitable  in  the  nature  of  things,  that  the 
supreme  legislative  of  the  empire  should  impose 
duties,  subsidies,  talliages,  and  taxes,  internal 
or  external,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  raising  a 
revenue  upon  subjects  that  are  not,  and  cannot 
considering  their  local  circumstances,  by  any 
possibility  be  equally  represented;  and  conse- 
quently whose  consent  cannot  be  had  in  parlia- 
ment. 

"  The  security  of  right,  and  property,  is  the 
great  end  of  government:  surely  then,  such 
measures  as  tend  to  render  right  and  property 
precarious,  tend  to  destroy  both  property  and 
government,  for  these  must  stand  or  fall 
together.  Property  is  admitted  to  have  exist- 
ence in  the  savage  state  of  nature :  and  if  it  is 
necessary  for  the  support  of  savage  life,  it 
becomes  by  no  means  less  so  in  civil  society. 
The  house  entreats  your  lordship  to  consider 
whether  a  colonist  can  be  conceived  to  have 
any  property  which  he  may  call  his  own,  if  it 
may  be  granted  away  by  any  other  body  with- 
out his  consent:  and  they  submit  to  your 

p  2 


108  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.H.  lordship's    judgment    whether    this    was    not 

ires,    actually  done,  when  the  act  for  granting  to  his 

majesty  certain  duties  on  paper,  glass,  and  other 

articles,  for  the  sole  and  express  purpose  of 

raising  a  revenue  in  America,  was  made." 

They  conclude  a  very  able  course  of  rea- 
soning on  the  question  of  the  constitutional 
right  to  tax  America,  with  saying,  "It  is  by 
no  means,  my  lord,  a  disposition  in  the  house 
to  dispute  the  just  authority  of  the  supreme 
legislative  of  the  nation,  that  induces  them  thus 
to  address  your  lordship;  but  a  warm  sense 
of  loyalty  to  their  prince,  and,  they  humbly 
apprehend,  a  just  concern  for  their  natural  and 
constitutional  rights.  They  beg  your  lordship 
would  excuse  their  trespassing  on  your  time 
and  attention  to  the  great  affairs  of  state  ;  they 
apply  to  you  as  a  friend  to  the  rights  of  mankind, 
and  of  British  subjects.  As  Americans,  they 
implore  your  lordship's  patronage,  and  beseech 
you  to  represent  their  grievances  to  the  king 
our  sovereign,  and  employ  your  happy  influence 
for  their  relief." 

Arguments  which  would  have  appeared  so 
conclusive  to  Englishmen,  if  urged  by  them- 
selves in  support  of  their  own  rights,  had  but 
little  weight,  when  used  to  disprove  the  exist- 
ence of  their  authority  over  others.  The  deep 
and  solemn  tone  of  conviction,  however,  con- 
veyed in  all  these  letters,  ought  to  have  pro- 
duced a  certainty  that  the  principles  assumed 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  109 

in  them,  had  made  a  strong  impression,  and  CHAP,  u. 
would  not  lightly  be  abandoned.     It  ought  to     1768. 
have  been  foreseen  that  with  such  a  people,  so 
determined,  the   conflict   must   be   stern   and 
hazardous;  and  even  if  ultimate  success  might 
be  counted  on,  it  was  well  worth  the  estimate, 
whether  the  object  would  compensate  the  means 
used  in  obtaining  it. 

A  petition  to  the  king  was  also  agreed  on,  ^eti^""to 
replete  with  professions  of  loyalty  and  attach 

January  20. 

ment  to  his  person  and  family,  but  stating  in • — 

very  explicit  terms,  the  sense  they  entertained 
of  the  acts  against  which  they  petitioned. 

After  the  petition  to  the  king  had  been  Twei.ty.fim 
voted,  a  day  was  appointed  to  take  under  consi- 
deration, the  propriety  of  addressing  their  sister 
colonies,  on  a  subject  equally  interesting  to  all. 
After  long  and  earnest  debate,  the  motion  for 
the  address  was  lost,  in  a  house  consisting  of 
eighty-two  members:*  but  on  a  motion  for 
reconsidering  the  resolution  which  was  made 
on  a  subsequent  day,  in  a  house  consisting  of  February  .1. 
the  same  number  of  members,  it  was  carried 
in  the  affirmative  by  a  great  majority;  and  by 
an  immediate  subsequent  resolve  the  first 
resolution  was  erased. 

A  circular  letter  to  the  assemblies  of  the  Eleventh. 
respective  colonies,  stating  the  proceedings  of 


*  The  whole  number  of  members  was  then  one  hundred 
and  ten. 


HO  THE  LIFE  OF 

(-'JAP.  "•   the  house  of  representatives  of  Mass achus setts 
1768.    was  then  agreed  to;   one  copy  of  which  was 
!rttereato      presented  to  their  governor,  and  another  copy, 
assembles,    to  prevent  its  being  misrepresented,  was  trans- 
mitted to  their  agent  in  London.* 

To  avoid  what  might  give  to  these  measures, 
taken  in  defence  of  rights  believed  to  be  the 
most  clear  and  the  most  sacred,  the  appearance 
of  systematic  opposition  to  the  British  govern- 
ment, the  house,  soon  after  concluding  their 
circular  letter,  called  up  a  requisition  of  the 
governor  to  make  a  further  provision  for  one 
of  the  king's  garrisons  within  the  province ; 
which  without  acknowledging  the  obligations 
of  the  mutiny  act,  they  of  their  free  accord, 
instantly  complied  with.  Soon  afterwards,  the 
governor  prorogued  the  general  court.  This 
measure  was  accompanied  by  an  angry* speech, 
but  little  calculated  to  diminish  the  resentments 
of  the  house  directed  personally  against  him ; 
resentments  occasioned  as  well  by  the  haughti- 
ness of  his  manners,  and  a  persuasion  that  he 
had  misrepresented,  in  his  letters  to  ministers, 
their  conduct  and  opinions,  as  by  the  unpopular 
course  his  station  at  present  required  him  to 
pursue. 

The  circular  letter  of  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives of  Massachussetts.was  extremely  well 


*   See  Note,  No.  VI.  at  the  end  of  the  volume. 

* 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  m 

received  in  the  other  colonies.  They  generally  CHAP,  n. 
approved  the  measures  of  opposition  which  had  1768. 
been  taken,  and  readily  united  in  them.  They  too 
petitioned  the  king  against  the  obnoxious  acts 
of  parliament,  and  instructed  their  several  agents 
to  use  all  proper  means  to  obtain  their  repeal. 
Virginia  transmitted  to  her  sister  colonies  a 
statement  of  her  proceedings,  and  in  the  letter 
to  Massachussetts,  communicating  the  repre- 
sentation made  by  the  house  of  burgesses  to 
parliament,  they  say,  "  that  they  do  not  affect 
an  independency  of  their  parent  kingdom,  the 
prosperity  of  which  they  are  bound,  to  the 
utmost  of  their  abilities,  to  promote ;  but 
cheerfully  acquiesce  in  the  authority  of  parlia- 
ment to  make  laws  for  preserving  a  necessary 
dependence,  and  for  regulating  the  trade  of  the 
colonies :  yet  they  cannot  conceive,  'and  humbly 
insist  it  is  not  essential,  to  support  a  proper 
relation  between  the  mother  country  and  colo- 
nies transplanted  from  her,  that  she  should 
have  a  right  to  raise  money  from  them  without 
their  consent,  and  presume  they  do  not  aspire 
to  more  than  the  rights  of  British  subjects  when 
they  assert,  that  no  power  on  earth  has  a  right 
to  impose  taxes  on  the  people,  or  take  the 
smallest  portion  of  their  property,  without  their 
consent  given  by  their  representatives  in  parlia- 
ment. This  has  ever  been  considered  as  the 
chief  pillar  of  the  constitution;  without  this 
support  no  man  can  be  said  to  have  the  least 


THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  n.   shadow  of  liberty:  since  they  can  have  no  pro- 
1768.    perty  in  that,  which  another  can  by  right  take 
from  them  when  he  pleases,  without  their  con- 
sent."* 

On  the  first  intimation  of  the  measures  taken 
by  Massachusetts,  the  earl  of  Hillsborough,who 
had  been  appointed,  about  the  close  of  the  year 
1767,  to  the  then  newly  created  office  of  secre- 
tary of  state  for  the  department  of  the  colonies, 
Letter  from  addressed  a  circular  letter  to  the  several  srover- 

the  earl  of 

gh  nors,  to  be  laid  by  them  before  the  assemblies 
of  their  respective  colonies,  in  which  he  treats 
the  circular  letter  of  Massachussetts  as  being  of 
the  most  dangerous  and  factious  tendency,  calcu- 
lated to  inflame  the  minds  of  his  majesty's  good 


*  In  this  letter  too,  the  house  of  burgesses,  after  re- 
probating- the  act  imposing  duties  on  glass,  &c.  express 
their  opinion  concerning  the  mutiny  act  in  the  following 
terms.  u  The  act  suspending  the  legislative  power  of  New 
York,  they  consider  as  still  more  alarming  to  the  colonies, 
though  it  has  that  single  province  in  view.  If  parliament 
can  compel  them  to  furnish  a  single  article  to  the  troops 
sent  over,  they  may,  by  the  same  rule,  oblige  them  to 
furnish  clothes,  arms,  and  every  other  necessary,  even 
the  pay  of  the  officers  and  soldiers ;  a  doctrine  replete  with 
every  mischief,  and  utterly  subversive  of  all  that's  dear 
and  valuable;  for  what  advantage  can  the  people  of  the 
colonies  derive  from  their  right  of  choosing  their  own  re- 
presentatives, if  those  representatives  when  chosen,  be 
not  permitted  to  exercise  their  own  judgments,  be  under 
a  necessity  (on  pain  of  being  deprived  of  their  legislative 
authority)  of  enforcing  the  mandates  of  a.  British  parlia- 
ment." 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  U 

subjects  In  the  colonies,  to  promote  an  unwar-  CHAP.  n. 
rantable  combination,  to  excite  and  encourage  an  ires. 
open  opposition  to  and  denial  of  the  authority  of 
parliament,  and  to  subvert  the  true  principles 
of  the  constitution ;  and  he  endeavours  to  pre- 
vail with  them  to  treat  with  a  proper  resentment, 
what  he  terms  "  such  an  unjustifiable  attempt 
to  revive  those  distractions  which  have  operated 
so  fatally  to  the  prejudice  of  the  colonies,  and 
of  the  mother  country;"  but  in  any  event  not 
to  take  part  with  Massachussetts  by  approving 
such  proceedings. 

Far  from  producing  the  desired  effect,  this 
letter  of  the  earl  of  Hillsborough  rather  served 
to  strengthen  the  determination  of  the  colonies 
to  unite  in  their  endeavours  for  the  purpose  of 
obtaining  a  repeal  of  the  laws  so  universally 
detested ;  and  they  declared  that  they  could 
not  consider  as  an  unwarrantable  combination, 
a  concert  of  measures  to  give  weight  and 
efficacy  to  their  representations  in  support  of 
principles,  they  deemed  essential  to  the  pre- 
servation of  the  British  constitution,  and  of 
British  liberty. 

It  is  probable  that  this  letter  was  accompanied 
with  instructions  to  dissolve  such  assemblies  as 
should  refuse  to  comply  with  its  recommenda- 
tion, as  the  assemblies  were  generally  dissolved 
on  taking  the  same  into  consideration,  and 
declining  to  gratify  the  wish  expressed  by  his 

VOL.  ir.  Q 


114,  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  n.  lordship  respecting  the  conduct  of  their  sister 
ires,    colony. 

june  21.  When  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts 
was  again  convened,  governor  Bernard  laid 
before  the  house  of  representatives  an  extract 
of  a  letter  from  the  earl  of  Hillsborough,  com- 
municating the  great  concern  of  his  majesty, 
that  "  a  house,  at  the  end  of  a  session,  should 
have  presumed  to  revert  to  and  resolve  upon  a 
measure  of  so  inflammatory  a  nature,  as  that  of 
writing  to  the  other  colonies,  on  the  subject  of 
their  intended  representations  against  some 
late  acts  of  parliament."  After  stating  the 
opinion,  entertained  by  the  crown,  of  this 
measure,  in  terms  similar  to  those  used  in  his 
circular  letter,  and  expressing  the  opinion  that 
the  resolutions  were  passed  by  surprise,  and 
against  the  sense  of  the  assembly,  he  declares  it 
to  be  "  the  king's  pleasure"  that  the  governor 
"  should  require  of  the  house  of  representatives, 
in  his  majesty's  name,  to  rescind  the  resolution 
which  gave  birth  to  the  circular  letter  from 
the  speaker,  and  to  declare  their  disapprobation 
of  and  dissent  from  that  rash  and  hasty  pro- 
ceeding." 

This  message  unavoidably  produced  a  con- 
siderable degree  of  agitation ;  but  without 
coming  to  any  resolution  on  it,  the  house 
requested  the  governor  to  lay  before  them  the 
whole  of  the  letter  of  the  earl  of  Hillsborough, 
and  also  copies  of  such  letters  as  had  been 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  ^5 

written  by  his  excellency  to  that  nobleman  on  CHAP.  n. 
the  subject  to  which  the  message  referred.  ires. 

The  letters  written  by  the  governor  were  J!;;S24- 
haughtily  refused,  but  the  residue  of  that  from  ~ 
the  earl  of  Hillsborough  was  laid  before  them. 
That  minister  says,  "  if,  notwithstanding  the 
apprehensions  which  may  justly  be  entertained 
of  the  ill  consequence  of  a  continuance  of  this 
factious  spirit,  which  seems  to  have  influenced 
the  resolutions  of  the  assembly  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  last  session,  the  new  assembly 
should  refuse  to  comply  with  his  majesty's 
reasonable  expectation,  it  is  the  king's  pleasure, 
that  you  immediately  dissolve  them." 

In  a  subsequent  part  of  the  letter,  the 
governor  is  assured  that  "a  faithful  discharge 
of  duty  shall  not  operate  to"  his  "  prejudice, 
or  to  the  discontinuance  of  any  necessary 
establishments . ' ' 

No  immediate  answer  being  returned  to  these  June  &. 
communications,  the  governor  pressed  the 
house  to  a  decision  on  them ;  adding,  that  he 
could  "  not  admit  of  a  much  longer  delay 
.^without  considering  it  as  an  answer  in  the 
negative." 

The  next  day  the  house  requested  a  recess, 
that  they  might  consult  their  constituents  on 
the  requisition  made  in  consequence  of  the 
earl  of  Hillsborough's  letter.  This  being 
refused,  a  letter  to  the  earl  was  reported  and 
agreed  to  by  a  majority  of  ninety-three  to 
Q.2 


116  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  it.  thirteen,  in  which  they  say,  "  the  house  are 
1768.  humbly  of  opinion  that  a  requisition  from  the 
june  30.  throne  of  this  nature  to  a  British  house  of 
commons  has  been  very  unusual,  perhaps 
there  has  been  no  such  precedent  since  the 
revolution.  If  this  be  the  case,  some  very 
aggravated  representations  of  this  measure 
must  have  been  made  to  his  majesty,  to  induce 
him  to  require  of  this  house,  to  rescind  a 
resolution  of  a  former  house,  upon  pain  of 
forfeiting  their  existence;  for,  my  lord,  the 
house  of  representatives  duly  elected,  are  con- 
stituted by  the  royal  charter,  the  representative 
body  of  his  majesty's  faithful  commons  of  this 
province  in  the  general  assembly." 

They  defend,  in  strong  and  manly,  but 
decent  terms,  their  circular  letter;  and  then 
proceed  to  say,  "an  attempt,  my  lord,  to  im- 
press the  royal  mind  with  a  jealousy  of  his 
faithful  subjects,  for  which  there  are  no  just 
grounds,  is  a  crime  of  the  most  malignant 
nature,  as  it  tends  to  disturb  and  destroy  that 
mutual  confidence  between  the  prince  and  the 
subject  which  is  the  only  true  basis  of  public 
happiness  and  security.  Your  lordship,  upon, 
inquiry,  may  find  that  such  base  and  wicked 
attempts  have  been  made." 

After  stating  the  inexpressible  grief  of  the 
people  of  the  province,  to  find  repeated  cen- 
sures falling  on  them  "  not  from  ministers  of 
state  alone,  but  from  majesty  itself,"  and  saying 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

that  there  was  ' '  no  evil  in  life  which  they  felt  CHAP.  u. 
more  sensibly  than  the  displeasure  of  their  1768. 
sovereign,"  they  state  their  proceedings  rela- 
tive to  the  circular  letter,  so  as  to  show  the 
propriety  and  regularity  of  their  conduct  on 
that  subject;  and  say  that  "  the  house  humbly 
rely  on  the  royal  clemency,  that  to  petition 
his  majesty  will  not  be  deemed  by  him  to  be 
inconsistent  with  a  respect  to  the  British  con- 
stitution, as  settled  at  the  revolution  by 
William  III.  that  to  acquaint  their  fellow 
subjects  involved  in  the  same  distress,  of  their 
having  so  done,  in  full  hopes  of  success,  even 
if  they  had  invited  the  union  of  all  America  in 
one  joint  supplication,  would  not  be  discoun- 
tenanced by  our  gracious  sovereign,  as  a 
measure  of  an  inflammatory  nature. e  That 
when  your  lordship  shall  in  justice  lay  a  true 
state  of  these  matters  before  his  majesty,  he 
will  no  longer  consider  them  as  tending  to 
create  unwarrantable  combinations,  or  excite 
an  unjustifiable  opposition  to  the  constitutional 
authority  of  parliament;  that  he  will  then  truly 
discern,  who  are  of  that  desperate  faction 
which  is  continually  disturbing  the  public 
tranquillity;  and  that,  while  his  arm  is  extended 
for  the  protection  of  his  distressed  and  injured 
subjects,  he  will  frown  upon  all  those,  who, 


e  Prior  documents. 


HQ  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  IT.  to  gratify  their  own  passions,  have  dared  to 
ires,    attempt  to  deceive  him." 

The  question  was  then  put,  whether  the 
house  would  rescind  the  resolution  on  which 
their  circular  letter  was  founded  ?  and  it  passed 
in  the  negative  by  a  majority  of  ninety-two  to 
seventeen. 
Assembly  A  letter  to  the  governor  was  then  prepared, 

of  Massa-  •  '    1_     •  •  r  r       • 

chussetts      statins:   their  motives  tor  remsmsr  to  comply 

dissolved.  r  ' 

with  the  requisition  to  rescind  their  resolution, 

immediately  after  receiving  which  they  were 

Ju:y  *•     prorogued,  and  the  next  day  they  were  dissolved 
by  proclamation. 

While  the  opposition  was  thus  conducted  by 
the  legislature  with  temperate  firmness,  and 
with  the  use  only  of  legitimate  means,  the 
general  irritation  occasionally  broke  out  in  the 
town  of  Boston  in  acts  of  violence,  denoting 
evidently  that  the  body  of  the  people,  at  least 
in  that  place,  were  prepared  for  much  stronger 
measures  than  their  representatives  had  pursued. 
theTioo0'  ^ne  seizure  of  the  sloop  Liberty,  belonging 
Liberty.  to  mr ^  Hancock ,  by  the  collector  and  comptroller 
of  the  customs,  occasioned  the  assemblage  of 
a  tumultuous  mob,  who  beat  the  officers  and 
those  who  assisted  them,  took  possession  of  a 
boat  belonging  to  the  collector  which  they 
burnt  in  triumph,  and  patrolled  the  streets  for 
a  considerable  length  of  time.  The  revenue 
officers,  fearing  for  their  safety,  took  refuge, 
first  on  board  the  Romney  man  of  war,  and 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  ^ 

afterwards  fti  castle  William.     After  a  consi-  CHAP.  H. 
derable  length  of  time  had  elapsed,  the  governor     ires. 
moved  the  council  to  take  into  consideration      ^ 
some  measure  for  restoring  vigour  and  firmness  ~ 
to  government.    To  this  application  the  council 
made  a  reply,  in  which  they  state,   "  that  the 
disorders  which  happened  were  occasioned  by 
the  violent  and  unprecedented  manner  in  which 
the  sloop  Liberty  had  been  seized  by  the  officers 
of    the   customs."     And   the    inhabitants   of 
Boston,  in  a  justificatory  memorial,  supported 
by  affidavits,  say,   "the  principal  occasion  of 
the  late  tumults  arose  from  the  haughty  conduct 
of  the  commissioners  and  other    officers  ap- 
pointed by  them.     The  Romney  man  of  war, 
having  moored  before  the  town,  intimidated 
the  coasting  vessels  bringing  provisions,   fire 
wood,   &c.   committed   many  acts  of  violence 
and  outrage,  and  in  particular,  by  cutting  away 
a  vessel  from  mr.  Hancock's  wharf,   detaining 
her  several  days,  without  any  legal  proceeding 
filed  against  her,  &c.    This  irritated  the  people, 
who    patrolled    the    streets   in    a   tumultuous 
manner,  broke  several  windows  to  the  value 
of  about  five  pounds  sterling,  burnt  a  pleasure 
boat  belonging  to  the  collector  and  then  dis- 
persed at  about  eleven  o'clock  at  night." f 


f  Prior  documents. 


120  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  ii.  A  petition,  presented  to  the  governor  by  the 
1768.  inhabitants  assembled  in  a  town  meeting  a  few 
days  after  this  event,  praying  the  removal  of  the 
Romney,  after  representing  the  grievances  of 
which  the  people  complained,  and  the  remon- 
strances which  had  been  transmitted  to  parlia- 
ment, and  the  petitions  to  the  throne,  proceeds 
to  state  that  they  had  waited  the  effect  of  these 
applications  with  the  greatest  attention  to  the 
public  peace,  until  they  found  themselves  in- 
vaded with  an  armed  force,  seizing,  impressing, 
and  imprisoning  the  persons  of  their  fellow 
subjects,  contrary  to  express  acts  of  parliament. 

Menaces,  they  said,  had  been  thrown  out 
fit  only  for  barbarians,  which  already  affected 
them  in  a  most  serious  manner,  and  threatened 
them  with  famine  and  desolation ;  as  all  navi- 
gation was  obstructed,  upon  which  alone  their 
whole  support  depended,  and  the  town  was, 
at  that  crisis,  in  a  situation  nearly  such  as  if 
war  was  formally  declared  against  it. 

Although  the  people  thus  justified,  or  rather 
excused  this  act  of  violence,  the  legislature  did 
,  not  think  proper  to  aiford  it  their  countenance. 
A  committee  of  both  houses  appointed  to  inquire 
into  the  state  of  the  province,  after  reprobating 
in  their  report  the  circumstances  attending  the 
seizure,  to  which  they  attribute  the  mob  which 
was  collected,  declare  their  utter  abhorrence 
and  detestation  of  a  procedure  which  they 
pronounce  to  be  very  criminal;  and  desire  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

governor  to  direct  the  attorney  general  to  pro-  CHAP.  u. 
secute  all  persons  concerned  in  the  riot.     They     1768. 
also  requested  that  a  proclamation  might  be 
issued,  offering  a  reward  to  any  person  who 
should  make  discoveries  by  which  the  rioters 
or  their  abettors  might  be  brought  to  condign 
punishment. 

This  report,  however,  seems  to  have  been 
rather  intended  to  save  appearances,  than  to 
have  produced  any  real  effect  corresponding 
with  the  sentiment  it  expressed.  It  was  per- 
fectly understood  that  no  person  would  dare  to 
inform,  or  even  to  appear  as  a  witness  in  any 
prosecution  which  might  be  instituted  by  the 
attorney  general ;  and  as  if  completely  to  pre- 
vent further  proceedings,  several  persons,  who 
had  been  active  in  producing  the  riots,  \vere 
placed  on  the  grand  jury  for  the  succeeding 
term.  Suits  were  afterwards  instituted  against 
mr.  Hancock  and  others,  owners  of  the  vessel 
and  cargo;  but,  as  it  was  thought  unsafe  to 
hazard  the  trial  of  them,  they  were  never  pro- 
secuted to  a  final  decision. g 

This  riot,  which  completely  demonstrated 
the  impracticability  of  executing,  by  ordinary 
means,  the  obnoxious  laws  which  government 
seemed  determined  to  enforce,  though  it  might 
not  occasion,  certainly  accelerated  a  measure, 


s  Minot. 
VOX.   II.  R 


THE  LIFE  OF 

which  tended,  in  no  inconsiderable  degree,  to 
irritate  still  further  the  angry  dispositions 
already  so  prevalent  in  Boston. 

Representations  had  already  been  made  by 
the  governor  to  administration,  stating  the 
necessity  of  stationing  a  military  force  in  the 
province  for  the  protection  of  the  officers 
employed  in  collecting  the  revenue,  and  of  the 
magistrates  in  preserving  the  public  peace  ;  and 
orders  to  detach  at  least  one  regiment,  on  that 
service,  had  already  been  given  to  general  Gage, 
who  was  directed  to  select  for  the  command  of 
it,  an  officer,  on  whose  prudence,  resolution, 
and  integrity  he  could  entirely  rely.  The 
transactions  respecting  the  seizure  of  the  sloop 
Liberty  rendered  any  attempt  to  produce  a 
countermand  of  these  orders  entirely  abortive, 
and  probably  was  the  cause  that  two  regiments 
instead  of  one,  were  detached  by  general  Gage. 

Before  the  arrival  of  this  military  force,  the 
governor  had  used  expressions  intimating  that 
it  might  be  expected  -,  in  consequence  of  which 
a  committee  of  the  inhabitants  was  deputed  in 
a  town  meeting  to  wait  on  his  excellency,  and 
know  on  what  the  suspicions  he  had  expressed 
were  founded,  and  also  to  pray  him  to  convene 
another  general  assembly. 

The  answer  of  the  governor  confirmed  their 
fears  respecting  a  military  force,  though  he 
assured  them  that  he  had  no  official  communi- 
cation on  the  subject;  and  contained  also  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  123 

information,  that  no  other  assembly  could  be  CHAP,  n. 
convoked,   until  his  majesty's  commands  for     1768. 
that  purpose  should  be  received. 

It  seems  to  have  been  supposed  that  a  disso- 
lution of  the  assembly  of  Massachusetts  would 
dissolve  also  the  opposition  to  the  measures 
of  administration  ;  and  that  the  people,  having 
no  longer  constitutional  leaders,  being  no  lon- 
ger excited  and  conducted  by  their  represen- 
tatives, would  gradually  become  quiet,  and 
return  to,  what  was  termed,  their  duty  to 
government.  But  the  opinions  expressed  by 
the  house  of  representatives  were  the  opinions 
of  the  great  body  of  the  people,  and  had  taken 
too  deep  root  to  be  so  readily  suppressed. 
The  most  active  and  energetic  part  of  society 
had  embraced  them  with  enthusiasm  and  the 
dissolution  of  the  assembly  only  created  a 
necessity  for  devising  others,  perhaps  more 
efficient  expedients;  and  hastened  a  mode  of 
conducting  their  opposition,  which  was  after- 
wards universally  adopted. 
S  The  answer  of  the  governor  to  their  message 
being  reported,  the  meeting  immediately  pro- 
ceeded to  resolve,  "  that  to  levy  money  within 
that  province  by  any  other  authority  than  that 
of  the  general  court,  was  a  violation  of  the 
royal  charter,  and  of  the  undoubted  natural 
rights  of  British  subjects. 

That  the  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants 
of  the  town  of  Boston  wrould,  at  the  peril  of 

R  2 


124  THE  LIFE  °F 

CHAP,  it.  their   lives   and   fortunes,    take   all  legal   and 
1768.    constitutional    measures    to    defend    all    and 
singular  the  rights,   liberties,   privileges,  and 
immunities,  granted  in  their  royal  charter. 

"  That,  as  there  was  an  apprehension  in  the 
minds  of  many  of  an  approaching  war  with 
France,  those  inhabitants,  who  were  not  pro- 
_vided  with  arms,  should  be  requested  duly 
to  observe  the  laws  of  the  province,  which 
required  that  every  householder  should  furnish 
himself  with  a  complete  stand." 

They  further  resolved,  "  that  as  the  governor 
did  not  think  proper  to  call  a  general  court  for 
the  redress  of  their  grievances,  the  town  would 
then  make  choice  of  a  suitable  number  of 
persons  to  act  for  them  as  a  committee  in  a 
convention,  to  be  held  at  Faneuil  hall  in  Boston 
with  such  as  might  be  sent  to  join  them  from 
the  several  towns  in  the  province." 

These  votes  were,  at  the  desire  of  the 
meeting,  communicated  by  the  select  men  in  a 
circular  letter  to  the  other  towns  in  the  province 
whicK  were  invited  to  concur  in  them,  and  to 
elect  committee  men  who  should  meet  those 
of  Boston,  in  convention. 

A  convention      The  measure  was  very  generally  adopted, 
i-aneuii haii.  anc]  a  convention  assembled,   which  was  re- 
garded with  all  the  respect  that  could  have 
been  paid  to  a  legitimate  assembly. 

The  country  in  general,  though  united  on 
the  great  constitutional  question  of  taxation, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  125 

was  probably  not  exasperated  to  the  same  point  CHAP,  n. 
with  the  people  of  Boston;  and  the  convention     i?68. 
appears  to  have  acted  with  unexpected  mode-  Moderation 
ration.    They  disclaimed  all  pretensions  to  any pr<x 
other  character  than  that  of  mere  individuals, 
assembled  by  deputation  from  the  towns  to 
consult  and  advise  on  such  measures  as  might 
tend  to  promote  the  peace  and  good  order  of 
his  majesty's  subjects  in  the  province,    but 
without  power   to  pass  any  authoritative,    or 
governmental  acts. 

They  petitioned  the  governor  to  assemble 
the  general  court,  and  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
agent  for  the  province  in  England,  stating  the 
character  in  which  they  met,  and  the  motives 
which  brought  them  together.  After  express- 
ing their  opinions  with  temper  and  firmness, 
on  the  subjects  generally  complained  of,  and 
recommending  to  the  people  patience,  and 
regard  to  good  order,  they  dissolved  themselves 
and  returned  to  their  respective  homes. 

The  report  that  the  two  regiments  were 
ordered  to  Boston  had  spread  through  the 
country,  and  some  hints  which  had  been  thrown 
out  seem  to  have  created  an  apprehension,  that 
the  more  violent  part  of  the  town  would  oppose 
their  landing,  and  precipitate  the  province  into 
a  civil  war. 

The  day  before  the  convention  rose,  two 
British  regiments,  commanded  by  colonel 
Dalrymple,  arrived  under  convoy  in  Nantasket 


126  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  n.  road.  The  application  of  the  governor  to  the 
1768.  council,  to  provide  quarters  for  them  in  Boston, 
sept.  23.  had  been  rejected,  because  there  were  barracks 

TWO  British  sufficient  for  their  reception  in  the  castle ;   and 

arrive  at      by  act  of  parliament  the  British  troops  were  to 

Boston.  •  * 

be  quartered  no  where  else,  until  those  barracks 
should  be  full.  But  a  report  having  prevailed 
that  the  people  about  Boston  were  in  a  state  of 
open  revolt,  general  Gage,  who  had  originally 
directed  one  regiment  to  be  stationed  in  the 
town,  transmitted  such  orders  as,  combined 
with  the  threats  which  had  been  uttered  of 
opposing  the  debarkation  of  the  troops,  induced 
the  commanding  officer  to  determine  to  land 
October  i.  both  regiments  in  Boston.  The  fleet,  therefore, 
was  put  in  motion,  and  took  a  station  which 
commanded  the  whole  town.1'  The  ships  of 
war  lay  with  their  broad  sides  towards  the  town, 
with  springs  on  their  cables,  and  their  guns 
ready  for  firing  on  the  place  should  any  resist- 
ance be  attempted.  These  formidable  prepa- 
rations having  been  made,  the  troops  began  to 
land  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  under 
cover  of  the  cannon  of  their  ships.  This  being 
effected  without  experiencing  any  opposition, 
they  marched  into  the  common  with  loaded 
muskets  and  fixed  bayonets,  in  all  that  military 
pomp  and  parade  which  indeed  are  usual  on 


h  Gazettes. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  127 

such  occasions,  but  which  were  believed  by  CHAP.  n. 
the  inhabitants  to  be  then  displayed  for  the     ires. 
purposes  of  intimidation  or  irritation. 

The  select  men,  as  well  as  the  council, 
having  refused  to  provide  quarters  in  town  for 
the  troops,  the  state  house  was,  by  order  of  the 
governor,  opened  for  their  reception,  and 
they  took  possession  of  all  the  apartments 
belonging  to  it,  except  that  which  was  reserved 
for  the  council ;  and  two  field  pieces  with  the 
main  guard  were  stationed  just  in  its  front. 
The  utmost  indignation  and  disgust  were 
excited  among  the  people  at  seeing  the  chamber 
of  their  representatives  .filled  with  regular 
soldiers,  their  counsellors  surrounded  with 
foreign  troops,  and  their  whole  city  exhibiting 
the  appearance  of  a  garrisoned  town.  The 
inhabitants  complained  too  of  being  challenged 
as  they  passed  and  repassed;  and  the  devout 
were  disturbed  by  military  music  which  often 
offended  their  ears  during  divine  service. 
With  the  difference  of  manners  between  the 
soldiers  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  and 
the  strong  prejudices  reciprocally  entertained 
against  each  other,  it  is  not  wonderful  that 
personal  broils  should  frequently  occur,  and 
that  mutual  antipathies  already  so  strong  should 
be  still  further  increased.1 


M'lUQt, 


128  THE  LIFE  OF 

cHAp.n.  While  these  measures  were  pursuing  in 
1768.  America,  every  session  of  parliament  was 
opened  with  information  from  the  king,  that  a 
disposition  to  refuse  obedience  to  the  laws, 
and  to  resist  the  authority  of  the  supreme 
legislature  of  the  nation,  still  prevailed  among 
his  misguided  subjects  in  some  of  the  colonies. 
In  the  addresses  answering  the  speeches  from 
the  throne,  both  houses  uniformly  expressed 
their  abhorrence  of  the  rebellious  spirit  mani- 
fested in  the  colonies,  and  their  approbation  of 
the  measures  taken  by  his  majesty  for  the 
restoration  of  order  and  good  government.k 

To  give  a  more  solemn  expression  to  the 
sense  of  parliament  on, this  subject,  joint  reso- 
lutions* of  both  houses  were  at  length  entered 
into,  condemning  in  the  strongest  terms  the 
measures  pursued  by  the  Americans;  and  an 
address  was  likewise  agreed  on,  approving  the 
conduct  of  the  crown,  giving  assurances  of 
effectual  support  to  such  further  measures  as 
might  be  found  necessary  to  maintain  the  civil 
magistrates,  in  a  due  execution  of  the  laws 
within  the  province  of  Massachussetts  Bay; 
and  beseeching  him  to  direct  the  governor  of 
that  colony  to  obtain  and  transmit  to  his  majesty 
information  of  all  treasons  committed  in  Mas- 
sachussetts since  the  year  1767,  with  the  names 

k  Minot. 
*   See  JVb/r,  .Mo.  VII.  at  the  end  of  the  volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  129 

of  the  persons  who  had  been  most  active  in  CHAP,  n. 
promoting   such   offences,    that    prosecutions     1768. 
might  be  instituted  against  them  .within  the 
realm,  in  pursuance  of  the  statute  of  the  35th 
of  Henry  VIII. 

These  threatening  declarations,  which  seem 
to  have  been  particularly  directed  against  Mas- 
sachussetts  Bay*  in  the  hope  that  the  other 
provinces  might  be  deterred  from  involving 
themselves  in  her  dangers,  made  no  impression 
on  the  colonists  in  any  degree  favourable  to  the 
views  of  the  mother  country.  Their  resolution 
to  resist  the  exercise  of  the  authority  claimed 
by  Great  Britain  not  only  remained  unshaken, 
but  manifested  itself  in  a  still  more  determined 
form. 

*  These  resolutions  originated  in  the  house  of  lords, 
and  passed  both  houses  by  immense  majorities.  In  the 
debate  in  the  house  of  commons,  mr.  Barre  commented 
with  grea't  force  on  their  being  levelled  particularly  atMas- 
sachussetts  when  the  offence  of  resistance  was  common  to 
all  the  colonies.  He  said,  "  away  with  these  partial  re- 
sentful trifles,  calculated  to  irritate,  and  not  to  quell  or 
appease;  inadequate  to  their  purpose,  unworthy  of  us  1 
why  will  you  endeavour  to  deceive  yourselves  and  us  ? 
you  know  that  it  is  not  this  place  only  which  disputes 
your  right,  but  every  part.  They  tell  you  that  you  have 
no  right  from  one  end  of  the  continent  to  the  other.  My 
sentiments  of  this  matter  you  well  know.  Consider  well 
what  you  are  doing.  Act  openly  and  honestly.  Tell 
them,  you  will  tax  them ;  and  that  they  must  slibmit. 
Do  not  adopt  this  little,  insidious,  futile  plan ;  they  will 
despise  you  for  it." 

VOL.   II.  S 


130  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  n.       Not  long  after  these  votes  of  the  British  par- 

1769.    liament,  the  assembly  of  Virginia  was  convened 

May.     by  lord  Botetourt,    a  nobleman  of  the  most 

conciliating    and   popular   manners,    who  had 

recently  been  appointed  governor  of  that  colony. 

A  copy  of  the  proceedings  having  already  been 

received,  the  house  took  into  their  immediate 

consideration  the  state  of  the  colony,  and  passed 

Resolutions  unanimously  several  resolutions,   asserting  in 

of  the  house  ...  ,  .  . 

of  burgesses  the  most  decisive  terms,  the  exclusive  narht 

of  Virginia. 

of  that  assembly  to  impose  taxes  on  the  in- 
habitants within  his  majesty's  dominion  of 
Virginia,  and  their  undoubted  right  to  petition 
for  a  redress  of  grievances,  and  to  obtain  a 
concurrence  of  the  other  colonies  in  such 
petitions.  Alluding  particularly  to  the  joint 
address  of  the  two  houses  to  the  king,  they 
also  resolved,  that  all  persons  charged  with 
the  commission  of  anv  offence  within  that 

w 

colony,  were  entitled  to  a  trial  before  the  tri- 
bunals of  the  country,  according  to  the  fixed 
and  known  course  of  proceeding  therein,  and 
that  to  seize  such  persons  and  transport  them 
beyond  sea  for  trial,  derogated  in  a  high  degree 
from  the  rights  of  British  subjects,  as  thereby 
the  inestimable  privilege  of  being  tried  by  a 
jury  from  the  vicinage,  as  well  as  the  liberty 
of  summoning  and  producing  witnesses  on 
such  trial,  will  be  taken  away  from  the  party 
accused. 


rm  L 


association. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

An  address*  to  his  majesty  was  also  agreed  CHAP.  n. 
on,  which  states  in  the  style  of  loyalty  and  real     1769. 
attachment  to  the  crown,  the  deep  conviction 
of  the  house  of  burgesses  of  Virginia,  that  the 
complaints  of  the  colonists  were  well  founded. 

Intelligence    of  these    proceedings    ha  vine;  The  governo 

o  dissolves  the 

reached  the  governor,  he  suddenly  dissolved  f  assemblv- 
the  assembly,  the  members  of  which  then  con- 
vened at  a  private  house,  and  having  chosen  their 
speaker,  moderator,  proceeded  to  form  a  non- 
importing   association,    which   war.  signed  by  ™s  fo 
every  person  present  ;  and  which,  being  recom-  £ 
mended  by  them  to  the  people,  was  subscribed, 
almost  universally,  throughout  the  province. 

From  the  commencement  of  the  controversy, 
the  opinion  seems  to  have  prevailed  extensively 
throughout  the  colonies,  that  the  most  effectual 
means  of  succeeding  in  the  struggle  in  which 
they  were  engaged,  were  those,  which  would 
interest  the  merchants  and  manufacturers  of 
Great  Britain  in  their  favour.  Associations  had 
therefore  been  set  on  foot  in  Massachussetts, 
as  early  as  the  beginning  of  May  1768,  for  the 


*  See  Note,  No.  VIII.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 
t  The  manner  of  dissolving  this  assembly  was  long 
recollected  in  Virginia.  The  governor,  suddenly  appear- 
ing, addressed  them  in  these  words :  "  mr.  speaker,  and 
gentlemen  of  the  house  of  burgesses,  I  have  heard  of 
your  resolves,  and  augur  ill  of  their  effects.  You  have 
made  it  my  duty  to  dissolve  you,  and  you  are  dissolved 
accordingly,!' 

S2 


132  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  ii.  non-importation  of  goods  from  that  country. 

1769.    The  merchants  of  some  of  the  trading;  towns  in 

*' 

the  other  colonies,  especially  those  of  Phila- 
delphia, although  perfectly  according  with  their 
countrymen  in  opposing  the  claims  of  the  mother 
country,  refused  at  that  time  to  concur  in  a 
measure,  which  they  deemed  too  strong  for  the 
existing  state  of  things,  and  it  wras,  for  the 
moment,  laid  aside.  But  in  the  beginning  of 
August,  it  was  resumed  in  Boston  ;  and  the 
merchants  of  that  place  generally  entered  into 
an  agreement,  not  to  import  from  Great  Britain 
any  articles  whatever,  except  a  few  of  the  first 
necessity,  between  the  first  of  January  1769, 
and  the  first  of  January  1770 ;  and  not  to  import 
tea,  glass,  paper,  or  painters  colours,  until  the 
duties  imposed  on  those  articles  should  be  taken 
off.  This  agreement  was  soon  afterwards 
adopted  in  the  town  of  Salem,  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  the  province  of  Connecticut;  but  was 
not,  however,  generally  entered  into  through  the 
colonies,  until  the  resolutions  and  address  of  the 
two  houses  of  parliament,  which  have  already 
been  mentioned,  seemed  to  cut  off  the  hope 
that  petitions  and  memorials  would  alone  effect 
the  object  for  which  they  contended.  The 
proceedings  of  the  house  of  burgesses  of  Vir- 
ginia, which  took  place  very  soon  after  the  in- 
telligence of  those  resolutions  and  that  address 
had  reached  America,  were,  by  order  of  the 
house,  transmitted  by  their  speaker  to  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  133 

speakers  of  the  several  assemblies  throughout  CHAP,  n. 
the  continent.     The  occasion  seemed,  in  the     1769. 
opinion  of  the  neighbouring  colonies,  to  require 
measures  of  greater  energy  than  had  heretofore 
been  adopted ;  and  an  association,  similar  to  that 
which  had  been  formed  by  their  elder  sister, 
was  entered  into  by  Maryland,  North,  and  South 
Carolina.     The  inhabitants  of  Charleston  went  Measures 

generally 

so  far  as  to  break  off  all  connexion  with  Rhode  $£%*££* 
Island  and  Georgia,  the  inhabitants  of  which  BrTthrfma, 
colonies,    they  charged  with   having  acted  anu 
part  most  singularly  infamous  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  glorious  struggle  for 
the   preservation  of  American   rights.     This 
vigorous  measure  was  probably  not  without  its 
influence,  as  those  provinces  soon  afterwards 
entered  into  the  agreements  which  had  now 

ecome  common  throughout  America. 

In  Portsmouth  in  New  Hampshire,  where 
mr.  Went  worth,  a  very  popular  governor,  pos- 
sessed great  influence,  there  was  also  discovered 
a  considerable  degree  of  reluctance  at  adopting 
this  measure;  but  being  threatened  with  a 
suspension  of  their  whole  intercourse  with  the 
other  colonies,  the  merchants  of  that  place 
likewise,  following  the  example  so  generally 
set  them,  joined  in  an  association  similar  to 
•that  which  had  been  elsewhere  very  generally 

adopted. 

All  ranks  and  conditions  of  persons  united 

in  giving  effect  to  this  agreement.    The  utmost 


b, 


134  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  ii.  exertions  were  used  to  improve  the  manufac- 
1769.    tares  of  the  country;  and  the  fair  sex,  laying 
aside  the  late  fashionable  ornaments  of  England, 
exulted,    with   patriotic   pride,    in   appearing 
dressed  with  the  produce  of  their  own  looms. 
Committees  chosen  by  the  people,    superin- 
tended every   where   the   importations  which 
-were  made,    and  the  force  of  public  opinion 
secured,  in  a  great  degree,  from  violation,  the 

associations  which  had  been  formed. 

June-          The  situation  of  that  province  rendering  a 

^•J1rc10<£urt  legislative  grant  of  money  necessary  for  the 

sachiserts!5"  purposes  of  government,  the  general  court  of 
Massachusetts"  was  again  convened.  The 
members  of  the  former  house  of  representatives 
were  generally  re-elected,  and  brought  with 
them  the  temper  which  had 'occasioned  their 

ingsproceed"  dissolution.  Discovering  no  disposition  to  enter 
on  the  business  for  which  they  were  called^ 
together,  they  immediately  engaged  in  a  con- 
troversy  with  the  governor,*  concerning  the 


*  This  contest  is  thus  stated  by  mr.  Gordon.  "  The 
general  court  being  called  together  according  to  charter, 
a  committee  from  the  house  of  representatives  remon- 
strated to  his  excellency,  '  that  an  armament  by  sea  and 
land,  investing  this  metropolis,  (Boston)  and  a  military 
guard  with  cannon  pointed  at  the  door  of  the  state  house 
where  the  assembly  is  held,  afe  inconsistent  with  that 
dignity  and  freedom,  with  which  they  have  a  right  to 
deliberate,  consult,  and  determine.  They  expect  that 
your  excellency  will,  as  his  majesty's  representative,  give 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  13  5 

removal  of  the  ships  of  war  from  the  harbour  CHAP,  n. 
and  troops  from  the  town  of  Boston,  which  as     1769. 
the  representative  of  the  crown,  they  insisted 
on  his  power  to  do. 

In  the  expectation  that  by  removing  the 
general  court  from  a  place  where  the  members 
were,  by  the  great  influence  of  the  metropolis, 
excited  to  and  supported  in  the  system  they 
had  adopted,  they  might  be  induced  to  enter 
on  the  ordinary  business  of  the  country,  the 
governor  adjourned  them  to  meet  at  Cambridge. 

Far  from  producing  the  intended  effect,  this 
measure  served  to  increase  the  existing  irrita- 
tion. The  business  recommended  to  them, 
remained  for  some  time  unnoticed;  their  alter- 
cations with  the  governor  continued,  and  they 
entered  into  several  warm  resolutions,*  enlarg- 


xffectual  orders  for  the  removal  of  the  above-mentioned 
forces  by  sea  and  land  out  of  this  port,  and  the  gates  of 
this  city,  during  the  session  of  the  said  assembly.'  The 
governor  returned  for  answer,  '  gentlemen,  I  have  no 
authority  over  his  majesty's  ships  in  this  port;  or  his 
troops  in  this  town.'  A  few  days  after  receiving  this 
answer,  the  house,  in  a  message  to  him,  declared  'the 
use  of  the  military  power  to  enforce  the  execution  of  the 
laws,  is,  in  the  opinion  of  this  house,  inconsistent  with 
the  spirit  of  a  free  constitution,  and  the  very  nature  of 
government.  The  military  force  is  uncontrollable  by  any 
authority  in  the  province  ;  it  is  then  a  power  without  any 
check  here;  and  therefore  it  is  so  far  absolute.  What 
privilege !  what  security  then  is  left  to  this  house  I" 

Gordon's  Hist.  Am.  War,  vol.  I.  p.  259. 

^  See  Aorc,   J\'o.  IX.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 


136  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  ii.  ing  the  catalogue  of  grievances,  and  expressed 
1769.    in  terms  of  infinitely  greater  exasperation,  than 
had  heretofore  appeared  in  the  official  acts  of 
any  legislature  on  the  continent. 

Not  long  after  the  passage  of  these  resolutions, 
the  house  explicitly  refused  to  make  the  pro- 
vision required  by  the  mutiny  act  for  the 
troops  stationed  in  Massachussetts ;  and  this 
being  the  object  for  which  they  were  most 
is  prorogued,  especially  convened,  they  were  prorogued  until 
the  first  of  January. 

The  committees  appointed  to  examine  the 
cargoes  of  vessels  arriving  from  Great  Britain, 
in  order  to  prevent  any  breach  of  the  association , 
went  on  to  execute  the  trust  reposed  in  them. 

Votes  of  censure  were  passed  on  such  as 
refused  to  concur  in  that  agreement,  or  violated 
its  principles,  and  the  names  of  the  offenders 
were  published  in  the  newspapers,  as  enemies 
to  their  country.  In  some  cases,  the  good^ 
imported  in  contravention  of  it  were  locked  up 
in  warehouses,  to  prevent  their  being  sold,  and 
in  some  few  instances,  they  were  reshipped 
to  Great  Britain. 

Not  long  after  the  strong  resolutions,  . \tfhich  . 
have  been  noticed,  were  agreed  to  by  parlia- 
ment, while  their  effect  was  unfolding  itself  in 
every  part  of  the  American  continent,  a  dispo- 
sition more  conciliatory  than  had  heretofore' 
been  manifested,  found  its  way  m\o  the.  cabinet 
at  St.  James's.  The  duke  of  prafton  ua- 

7 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

placed  at  the  head  of  the  administration,  and  CHAP.H. 
supported  with  great  earnestness,  a  proposition     1759. 
for  the  repeal  of  all  the  duties  imposed  for  the  4tlministra- 

tion  resolve 

purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  in  the  colonies.  °? 
This  moderate  and  judicious  measure  he  was 


duties  except 
that  on  tea. 


unable  completely  to  carry.  It  was  thought 
indispensable  to  the  maintenance  of  the  legis- 
lative supremacy  of  Great  Britain,  to  retain  the 
duty  on  some  one  article,  and  that  on  tea  was 
reserved  while  the  others  were  relinquished. 

Never  perhaps  did  a  great  and  wise  nation 
adopt  a  more  ill  judged  measure  than  this. 
The  contest  with  America  was  plainly  a  contest 
of  principle,  and  had  been  conducted  entirely 
on  principle,  by  both  sides.  The  amount  of 
taxes  proposed  to  be  raised,  was  too  inconsi- 
derable to  have  been  deemed,  by  either  people, 
of  sufficient  consequence  to  induce  them  to 
hazard,  on  that  account,  the  consequences 
already  produced.  But  the  principle  was,  in 
the  opinion  of  both,  of  the  utmost  magnitude. 
The  measure  now  proposed  for  conciliation, 
while  it  encouraged  in  the  Americans  the  hope 
that  their  cause  was  gaining  strength  in  Britain 
had  no.;tendency  to  remove  the  ground  of  con- 
test. Their  opposition  had  been  founded  on 
the  conation,  that  the  right  to  tax  them  was 
vested  exclusively  in  themselves  ;  and  while 

*.J»  » 

this  measure  was  thought  to  evidence  the  effect 
already  produced  by  that  opposition,  it  left  in 

VOL.-  II.  T 


THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  n.  full  force  all  the  motives  which  originally  pro- 

1769.  duced  it. 

circular  In  pursuance  of  this  resolution  of  the  cabinet, 

the  eari  of  a   circular  letter  was  written   by  the  earl  of 

Hillsborough  » 

Hillsborough  to  the  different  governors,  in- 
forming them  "  that  it  was  the  intention  of 
his  majesty's  ministers,  to  propose  in  the  next 
session  of  parliament,  taking  off  the  duties  on 
glass,  paper,  and  painters  colours,  on  conside- 
ration of  such  duties  having  been  laid  contrary 
to  the  true  spirit  of  commerce ;  and  assuring 
them  that,  at  no  time  had  they  entertained  the 
design,  to  propose  to  parliament,  to  lay  any 
further  taxes  on  America  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  a  revenue." 

This  measure  having  been  communicated  in 
letters  from  persons  in  England  to  their  corres- 
pondents in  Massachusetts,  and  apprehensions 
being  entertained  that  an  improper  opinion 
juiy  27.  concerning  its  operation  might  be  formed,  a 
meeting  of  the  merchants  and  traders  in  Boston 
was  held,  in  which  it  was  resolved,  that  the 
partial  repeal  of  the  duties  did  not  remove  the 
difficulties  under  which  their  trade  laboured ; 
was  only  calculated  to  relieve  the  manufacturers 
of  Great  Britain;  and  that  they  would  still' 
rigidly  adhere  to  their  non-importation  agree- 
ment. 

The  communication  which  had  been  received 
by  the  governors,  from  the  earl  of  Hillsborough, 
of  the  intended  application  to  parliament  for 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  13  9 

the  repeal  of  the  duties  on  glass,  paper,  and  CHAP,  n. 
painters  colours,  was  made  to  the  several  legis-     1769. 
latures  as  they  convened,  *  in  terms  implying 
an  intention  to  renounce  the  imposition  of  any 
future  taxes  on  America.     But  this  communi- 
cation seems  no  where  to  have  restored  perfect 
content. 

The  Virginia  legislature  was  in  session  on 
its  arrival,  and  governor  Botetourt  laid  it  before 
them.  They  voted,  as  a  protest,  manifesting 
their  dissatisfaction  with  it,  a  petition  to  the 
king,  asserting  the  rights  they  had  heretofore 
maintained;  and  as  individuals,  immediately 
signed  an  association,  in  which  they  were 
joined  by  several  respectable  merchants  of  the 
country  then  met  at  Williamsburg,  by  which 
they  renewed  their  non-importation  agreement 
with  respect  to  certain  enumerated  articles,  not 
of  absolute  necessity,  and  engage  to  continue 
it  until  the  duty  on  tea  should  be  repealed. 


*  Lord  Botetourt,  in  communicating  the  assurances  of 
ministers  to  the  assembly  of  Virginia,  added,  "  it  is  my 
firm  opinion  that  the  plan  which  I  have  stated  will  take 
place,  and  that  it  will  never  be  departed  from.  I  shall 
exert  every  power  with  which  I  am,  or  ever  may  be  le- 
gally, invested,  in  order  to  obtain  and  maintain,  for  the 
continent  of  America,  that  satisfaction,  which  I  have  been 
authorized  tp  promise  this  day,  by  the  confidential  ser- 
vants of  our.gracious  sovereign,  who,  to  my  certain  know- 
ledge, rates  'his  honour  so  high,  that  he  would  rather  part 
with  his  crown,  than  preserve  it  with  deceit* 
T  2 


140  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  n.  Yet  several  causes  combined  to  render  a 
176$.  general  observance  of  the  non- importation 
agreement  extremely  difficult.  The  sacrifice 
of  interest  made  by  the  merchants  was  too 
great  to  be  continued,  but  under  the  influence 
of  very  powerful  motives.  Suspicions  were 
entertained  of  each  other  in  the  same  towns, 
and  committees  to  superintend  the  conduct  of 
importers,  were  charged  with  gross  partiality 
in  permitting  some  persons  to  sell  goods  con- 
trary to  their  engagement,  while  others,  not 
more  culpable,  were  held  up  to  the  public  as 
enemies  to  their  country.  The  different  com- 
mercial towns,  too,  watched  each  other  with 
no  inconsiderable  degree  of  jealousy,  and 
accusations  were  reciprocally  made  of  infrac- 
tions to  a  great  extent,  of  the  association  they 
had  so  solemnly  pledged  themselves  to  observe. 
Letters  purporting  to  be  from  England,  were 
""published,  stating  that  large  orders  for  goods 
had  been  received;  and  the  inconvenience 
resulting  from  even  the  partial  interruption  of 
commerce  which  had  taken  place,  and  the  want 
of  those  British  manufactures  which  the  in- 
habitants had  been  accustomed  to  use,  began 
to  be  severely  and  extensively  felt.  In  Rhode 
Island  and  Albany,  it  was  determined  to  import 
as  usual,  with  the  restriction  only  of  such 
articles  as  should  be  dutiable.  On  the  remon- 
strances of  other  commercial  places,  especially 
of  Boston,  these  resolutions  wrere  changed,  and 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  141 

the  hope  was    entertained,    that    the    general  CHAP-  n. 
system  on  which  the  colonies  relied  for  success     1769. 
in  their  opposition  to  the  scheme  of  establishing 
the  right  in  Britain  to  tax  them,  would  still  be 
adhered  to. 

These  hopes  were  blasted  by  New  York. 
That  town,  at  first  determined  to  import  as 
usual,  with  the  exception  only  of  articles  sub- 
ject to  the  duty,  provided  the  large  commercial 
towns  of  Boston  and  Philadelphia  would  accede 
to  the  proposition. 

These  towns  refused  to  depart  from  the  non- 
importation agreement,  and  strenuously  urged 
their  brethren  of  New  York  to  persevere  with 
them  in  the  glorious  struggle.  On  receiving 
this  answer,  it  was  communicated  to  the  people ; 
and  their  opinion,  on  the  question  of  rescinding 
or  adhering  to  the  non-importation  agreement, 
was  taken  in  their  respective  wards,  when  a  New  York 

.        .  .  recedes  in 

decided  majoritv  was  found  in  favour  of  im-p,artfrom 

J  •  the  non- 

porting  generally,  with  the  single  exception  of  ^"J,1,"" 
such  articles   as    might   be    subject   to  duty.    Jujy  10- 
This  determination  was  immediately  commu-  ~ 
nicated,    and   excited   in   New   England   and 
Philadelphia  the  most  lively  chagrin.     Their 
remonstrances  against  it  were,  however,  inef-  The example 

generally 

fectual,  and  the  agreement  thus  openly  departed  foHwc* 
from    in   New   York,    was    soon    universally 
abandoned.    The  association  was  now  confined 
to  the  single  article  of  tea. 


142  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP-  "•  In  justification  of  themselves,  it  was  alleged 
1769.  by  the  people  of  New  York,  that  the  towns  of 
New  England  had  not  fairly  observed  their 
engagements,  and  that  the  merchants  of  Albany 
had  been  in  the  practice  of  receiving  goods 
from  Quebec. 

No  sufficient  evidence  in  support  of  these 
assertions  was  ever  adduced.  But  it  is  certain 
that  extreme  difficulty  attended  a  perseverance 
in  the  plan  which  had  been  adopted.  Indepen- 
dent of  the  privations  to  which  the  associators 
were  exposed;  of  the  great  loss  encountered  by 
the  merchants,  whose  business  was  suspended; 
it  was  not  easy  to  surmount  the  obstacles  which 
opposed  themselves  to  a  continued  union,  in 
the  same  measure,  of  rival  towns,  jealous  of 
the  commercial  prosperity  of  each  other,  and 
conscious  that  if  the  agreement  should  be 
evaded  by  others,  ruin  must  be  the  fate  of  those 
who  should  adhere  to  it. 

irro.        About   this  time  a  circumstance  occurred, 
— — —  which  threatened,    for  the  moment,  effects  the 


most  extensively  serious.  The  two  regiments 
stationed  in  Boston  to  support,  as  was  £aid, 
the  execution  of  civil  power,  and  preserve"  the 
peace  of  the  town,  could  not  fail  to  be  VieVed 
by  the  inhabitants  with  very  prejudiced  eyc*s. 
Frequent  quarrels  arose  between  them,  and  at 
length  an  affray  took  place  in  the  night,  near 
the  gates  of  their  barracks,  which  brought  out 
captain  Preston,  the  officer  of  the  day,  with  a 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  143 

part  of  the  main  guard  between  whom  and  CHAP,  u. 
some  young  men  blows  ensued  ;  on  which  they  1770. 
fired  and  four  of  the  people  were  killed. 

The  alarm  bells  were  immediately  rung,  the 
drums  beat  to  arms,  and  an  immense  multitude 
assembled,  who,  inflamed  to  madness  by  the 
view  of  the  dead  bodies,  were  with  some  diffi- 
culty restrained  from  rushing  on  the  twenty- 
ninth  regiment,  which  was  then  drawn  up  under 
arms  in  king  street,  by  the  exertions  of  the 
lieutenant  governor,  who  promised  that  the 
laws  should  be  enforced  on  the  perpetrators  of 
the  act,  and  by  the  efforts  of  several  respectable 
and  influential  individuals.  They  were  pre- 
vailed on  to  disperse,  after  the  regiment  had 
been  marched  to  the  barracks.  Captain  Preston, 
and  the  soldiers  who  had  fired,  were  committed 
to  prison  for  trial ;  and,  on  the  next  day, 
upwards  of  four  thousand  persons  assembled  at 
Faneuil  hall,  and  addressed  to  the  lieutenant 
governor,  a  message,  stating  it  to  be  "  the 
unanimous  opinion  of  the  meeting,  that  the 
inhabitants  and  soldiers  can  no  longer  live 
together  in  safety;  that  nothing  can  rationally 
be  expected  to  restore  the  peace  of  the  town, 
and  prevent  further  blood  and  carnage,  but  the 
immediate  removal  of  the  troops;  and  they, 
therefore,  most  fervently  prayed  his  honour, 
that  his  power  and  influence  might  be  exerted 
for  their  instant  removal.-' 


144  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP-  "•  In  answer  to  this  message,  the  lieutenant 
1770.  governor  expressed  his  extreme  sorrow  at  the 
melancholy  event  which  had  taken  place,  and 
declared  that  he  had  taken  measures  to  have 
the  affair  inquired  into,  and  justice  done. 
That  the  military  were  not  under  his  command 
but  received  their  orders  from  the  general  at 
New  York,  which  orders,  it  was  not  in  his 
power  to  countermand.  That,  on  the  applica- 
tion of  the  council  for  the  removal  of  the  troops, 
colonel  Dalrymple  their  commanding  officer, 
had  engaged  that  the  twenty-ninth  regiment, 
which  had  been  concerned  in  the  affair,  should 
be  marched  to  the  castle,  and  there  placed  m 
barracks,  until  further  orders  could  be  received 
from  the  general;  and  that  the  main  guard 
should  be  removed,  and  the  fourteenth  regiment 
so  disposed  of,  and  laid  under  such  restraints, 
that  all  occasions  of  future  disturbance  should 
be  removed.  This  answer  was  voted  to  be 
unsatisfactory,  and  a  committee  was  imme- 
diately deputed  to  wait  on  the  lieutenant 
governor  and  inform  him,  that  nothing  less 

could  satisfy  them  than  an  immediate  and  total 

'i'--    '••    >v 
removal  of  the  troops. 

•'.«'«'••' 
This  vote  was  laid  before  the  council,   by 

mr.  Hutchinson,  who  had  succeeded  Bernard 
in  the  government  of  the  province.  The  coun- 
cil declared  themselves  unanimously;. of  opinion 
"  that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  for  his 
majesty's  service,  the  go&l  orijer  of  the  town, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  145 

and  the  peace  of  the  province,  that  the  troops  CHAP.  n. 
should  be   immediately   removed  out  of  the     1770. 
town  of  Boston." 

This  opinion  and  advice  were  made  known 
to  colonel  Dairy mple,  who  gave  his  honour, 
that  measures  should  be  immediately  taken  for 
their  removal,  and  that  no  unnecessary  delay 
should  be  practised.  Highly  gratified  with  this 
assurance,  the  meeting  secured  the  tranquillity 
of  the  town,  by  appointing  a  strong  military 
watch,  and  immediately  dissolved. 

This  transaction  was  very  differently  related 
by  the  different  parties  concerned  in  it.  Mr. 
Gordon,  whose  history  was  written  when  the 
resentments  of  the  moment  had  subsided,  and 
who  appears  to  have  carefully  collected  the 
facts  of  the  case,  states  it  in  such  a  manner,  as 
very  nearly,  if  not  entirely,  to  exculpate  the 
military  characters  concerned  in  it.  It  would 
appear  that  an  attack  upon  the  soldiers,  pro- 
bably in  the  belief  that  only  the  loss  of  lives 
could  occasion  their  removal  from  the  town, 
had  been  premeditated;  and  that  after  being 
lorig  •insulted  with  the  grossest  language,  they 
hve.re  repeatedly  assaulted  by  the  mob,  with 
balls  of  ice  and  snow,  and  with  sticks,  before 
they  were  induced  to  fire.  This  representation 
receives  strong  support  from  the  circumstances, 
that  captain  Preston,  after  a  very  Ions:  and  Trial  and 

•  acquittal 

public  trial,  was  acquitted  by  a  Boston  jury;  p^gj™ 
and  that  of  the: eight  soldiers  wljio  were  prose- 

VOL.    II.  U 


THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  n.  cuted,  six  were  acquitted,  and  the  remaining 
1770.  two  found  guilty,  not  of  murder,  but  of  man- 
slaughter only.  Mr.  Quincy>  and  mr.  John 
Adams,  two  very  eminent  lawyers,  and  dis- 
tinguished leaders  of  the  patriotic  party,  con- 
sented  to  defend  captain  Preston  and  the 
soldiers;  and  by  doing  so,  sustained  no  di- 
minution of  their  influence.  Yet  this  event 
was  very  differently  understood  through  the 
colonies.  It  was  generally  believed  to  be  a 
massacre  equally  barbarous  and  unprovoked; 
and  increased,  in  no  inconsiderable  degree,  the 
detestation  in  which  the  soldiers,  stationed 
among  -the  people,  were  every  where  held. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  147 


CHAPTER  III. 

Insurrection  in  North  Carolina.. ..Dissatisfaction  of  Mas- 
sachussetts... .Corresponding  committees  appointed.... 
Governor  Hutchinson's  correspondence  with  the  admi- 
nistration sent  over  by  doctor  Franklin.. ..The  assembly- 
petition  for  the  removal  of  the  governor  and  lieutenant 
governor.. ..Hutchinson  is  succeeded  by  general  Gage 
....Measures  to  enforce  the  execution  of  the  act  con- 
cerning duties.. ..Ferment  excited  in  America. ...The  tea 
is  thrown  into  the  sea  at  Boston... .Measures  of  parlia- 
ment....General  enthusiasm  in  America.... A  general 
congress  is  proposed. ...General  Gage  arrives  in  Boston 
*.. Troops  stationed  on  Boston  neck.. ..New  counsellors 
and  judges. ...Obliged  to  resign. ...Boston  neck  fortified 
....Military  stores  seized  by  general  Gage. ...Prepara- 
tions for  defence  in  Massachusetts... .King's  speech  in 
parliament.. ..Proceedings  of  that  body. ...Battle  of  Lex- 
ington....Vote  of  Massachusetts  for  raising  men.... 
Meeting  of  congress. ...Proceedings  of  that  body.... 
Transactions  in  Virginia.. ..Provincial  congress  of  South 
Carolina.. ..Battle  of  Breeds  hill. 

IN  the  middle  and  southern  colonies,  the  irrita-  1770. 
tion  against  the  mother  country  appears  to  have 
subside^  ;  in  a  considerable  degree ;  and  no 
disposition  was  manifested,  to  extend  their 
opposition  further  than  to  defeat  the  collection 
of  the  revenue,  by  entirely  preventing  the 
importation  of  tea.  Their  attention  was  a  srood  insurrection 

r  .0  in  North 

deal   taken   up   by  an  insurrection   in  North  CaroUna< 
Carolina,  where  a  number  of  ignorant  people, 
supposing  themselves  to  be  aggrieved  by  the 


148  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  fee  bill,  rose  in  arms  for  the  purpose  of  shut- 
1770.  ting  up  the  courts  of  justice,  destroying  all 
officers  of  government,  and  all  lawyers,  and  of 
prostrating  government  itself.  Governor  Tryon 
marched  against  them,  and  having,  in  a  deci- 
sive battle,  totally  defeated  them,  the  insurrec- 
tion was  quelled,  and  order  restored. 

In  Massachusetts,  where  very  high  opinions 
of  American  rights  had  long  been  imbibed;  and 
where  the  doctrine,  that  the  British  parliament 
could  not  rightfully  legislate  for  the  Americans 
was  already  maintained  as  a  corollary  from  the 

Dissatisfac-  proposition  that  the  British  parliament  could 

tion  of  Mas-  ,  , .  •    i         i 

saciiussettt.  not  tax  them ;  a  gloomy  discontent  with  the 
existing  state  of  things  was  every  where  mani- 
fested. That  the  spirit  of  opposition  lately 
excited,  seemed  expiring,  without  having 
established  on  a  secure  and  solid  basis  the 
rights  they  claimed,  excited,  in  the  bosoms  of 
that  inflexible  people,  apprehensions  of  a  much 
more  serious  nature  than  would  have  been 
created  by  any  conflict  with  which  they  could 
be  threatened.  This  temper  displayed  itself 
in  all  their  proceedings.  The  legislature  had 
been  removed  from  Boston,  its  usual  place  of 
sitting,  to  Cambridge,  where  the  governor 
still  continued  to  convene  them.  They  remon- 
strated against  this,  as  an  intolerable  grievance, 
and  for  two  sessions  refused  to  do  business. 
In  one  of  these  remonstrances,  they  insist  on 
the  right  of  the  people  to  appeal  to  Heaven  in 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  149 

disputes  between  them  and  persons  in  power,  CHAP,  m. 
when  those  in  power  shall  abuse  it.  1770. 

When  assembled  in  September,  the  general  September. 
court  was  informed  by  the  governor,  'that  his 
majesty  had  ordered  the  provincial  garrison  in 
the  castle  to  be  withdrawn,  and  regular  troops 
to  succeed  them.  This  they  declared  to  be  so 
essential  an  alteration  of  their  constitution,  as 
justly  to  alarm  a  free  people. 

From  the   commencement   of  the    contest,  correspond- 
ing com- 

Massachussetts  appears  to  have  deeply  felt  the 
importance  of  uniting  all  the  colonies  in  one 
system  of  measures;  and,  in  pursuance  of  this 
favourite  idea,  a  committee  of  correspondence 
was  at  this  session  elected,  to  communicate 
with  such  committees  as  might  be  appointed 
by  other  colonies.  Similar  committees  were 
soon  afterwards  chosen  by  the  different  towns  * 
throughout  the  province,  for  the  purpose  of 
corresponding  with  each  other,  and  of  express- 
ing, in  some  degree  officially,  the  sentiments 
of  the  people.  Their  reciprocal  communications 
were  well  calculated  to  keep  up  the  spirit, 
which  was  general  through  the  colony.  The 
example  was  afterwards  followed  by  ether 
colonies,  and  the  utility  of  this  institution  be- 
came apparent,  when. a  more  active  opposition 
was  rendered  necessary. 


*  See  Note)  No.  X.  at  the  end  of  the  volume. 


150  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP-  MI.  Although  the  governor,  judges,  and  other 
1772.  high  colonial  officers  had  been  appointed  by  the 
crown^  they  had  hitherto  depended  on  the 
provineial  legislatures  for  their  salaries  ;  and 
this  dependence  had  always  been  highly  valued, 
as  giving  to  the  colonies  an  important  influence 
on  their  conduct.  It  has  been  already  seen, 
how  perseveringly  this  source  of  influence 
was  maintained  by  Massachussetts  on  a  former 
occasion.  As  a  part  of  the  new  system,  it  had 
been  determined  that  the  salaries  of  these  officers 
should  be  fixed  by  the  crown,  and  paid  without 
the  intervention  of  the  legislature.  This 
measure  was  adopted  in  relation  to  all  the  royal 
governments,  and  was  communicated  to  the 
general  court  of  Massachussetts  in  May.  It 
gave  high  offence,  and  was  declared  by  the 
house  of  representatives  to  be  an  infraction  of 
the  rights  of  the  inhabitants,  granted  them  by 
charter.-* 


*  "A  committee  having  been  appointed  to  consider  the 
matter  of  the  governor's  support  being  provided  for  by  the 
king,  reported  and  observed,  'that  the  king's. providing 
for  the  support  of  the  governor  is  a  most  dangerous  inno- 
vation. It  is  a  measure  whereby  not  only  the  right  of  the 
general  assembly  of  this  province  is  rescinded,  but  the 
highest  indignity  is  thrown  upon  it.  ^t  is  an  infraction 
of  the  charter' in  a  material  point,  Whereby  a  most  im- 
portant trust  is  wrested  out  of  the  hands  of  the  general 
assembly.' ,  And'  the  house,  the  same  day,  declared,  by 
a  message  to  the  governor,  'that  the.  making  provision 
for  his  excellency's  support,  independent  of  the  grants 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

About  this  time  a  discovery  was  made,  which  CHAP,  m. 
very  greatly  increased  the  ill  temper  already  so     irrs. 
prevalent  throughout  New  England.     Doctor  £3^ 
Franklin,  the  agent  for  several  of  the  colonies,  denceThh 
and  amoner  others  for  Massachusetts,  by  some  station  sent 

over  by  doc- 

unknown  means,  obtained  possession  of  the tor  Fraiiklhi- 
letters  which  had  been  addressed  by  governor 
Hutchinson,  and  by  lieutenant  governor  Oliver 
to  the  department  of  state.  These  letters,  many 
of  which  were  private,  he  transmitted  to  the 
general  court.  They  were  obviously  designed, 
and  well  calculated  to  induce  a  perseverance  on 
the  part  of  government,  in  the  system  which 
had  so  greatly  tended  to  alienate  the  affections 
of  the  colonies.  The  opposition  was  represented 
to  be  confined  to  a  few  factious  turbulent  men, 
whose  conduct  was  by  no  means  generally 
approved,  and  who  had  been  emboldened  by 
the  weakness  of  the  means  used  to  restrain  them. 
More  vigorous  measures  \vere  recommended, 
and  several  specific  propositions,  peculiarly 
offensive  to  the  colony,  were  made,  among 
which  wa.s  the  alteration  of  their  charters,  and 
tfVe  rendering  the  high  officers  dependent  solely 
on  the  crown  for  their  salaries. 

Inflamed  by  these  letters,  the  assembly  unan- 
imously  resolved   "  that   their   tendency   and 

and  acts  of  the  general  assembly,  and  his  excellency's 
receiving  the  same,  is  an  infraction  upon  the  rights  of 
the  inhabitants  granted  by  the  royal  charter." 

Gordon,  vol.  I.  p.  310. 


152  THE  LIFE  °F 

CHAP,  in.  design  was  to  overthrow  the  constitution  of  the 
1774.    government,  and  to  introduce  arbitrary  power 
™won  fbrly  into  the  province. ' '  At  the  same  time,  a  petition 

the  removal     ,        ,  i         i   «  j  .  ••   . 

ofthegover.  to  the  km?  was  voted,  praying  him  to  remove 

nor  and  *~ 

lieutenant     governor  Hutchinson,  and  lieutenant  srovernor 

governor.  o 

Februa —  Oliver,  forever,  from  the  government  of  the 
colony.  This  petition  was  transmitted  to  doctor 
Franklin,  and  laid  before  the  king  in  council, 
where  it  was  heard  ;  and  in  a  few  days  the  lords 
of  the  council  reported,  "  that  the  petition  in 
question  was  founded  upon  false  and  erroneous 
allegations,  and  that  the  same  is  groundless, 
vexatious,  and  scandalous,  and  calculated  only 
for  the  seditious  purposes  of  keeping  up  a  spirit 
of  clamour  and  discontent  in  the  provinces." 
This  report,  his  majesty  was  pleased  to  approve. 
Hutchinson  Governor  Hutchinson,  however,  was  soon 

is  succeeded 

by  Gage,      afterwardsrcmoved,  and  general  Gage  appointed 
to  succeed  him. 

The  fears  entertained  by  Massachusetts, 
that  the  spirit  of  opposition  which  had  been 
roused  in  the  colonies  might  gradually  subside 
were  not  permitted  to  be  of  long  continuance. 
The  determination  of  the  colonies  not  to  import 
tea  from  England,  had  so  lessened  the  demand 
for  that  article,  that  a  very  considerable  quan- 
tity had  accumulated  in  the .  magazines  of  the 
East  India  company.  They  urged  the  minister 
to  take  off  the  import  American  duty  of  three 
penc'e  per  pound,  and  offered,'3n  lieu  of  it,  to 
pay  double  that  sum  on  exportation.  This  fair 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  153 

opportunity  for  accommodation  was  rejected,  CHAP- m- 
and  either  as  a  mere  indulgence  to  the  com-     1774. 
pany,  or  with  the  intent  to  give  operation  to 
their  revenue  system  in  America,  drawbacks  j^!^*0 
were  allowed  on  tea  exported  to  the  colonies,  „* thfact 
and  the  duty  on  that  article  exported  by  the  dutLT11"1 
company  was  entirely  taken  off.     After  these 
encouragements  had  been  held  forth,  the  com- 
pany, (not  without  some  hesitation,  and  as  is 
understood,  assurances  from  government  that 
they  should  in  no  event  be  permitted  to  sustain 
a  loss)  proceeded  to  make  shipments  to  the 
colonies  on  their  own  account.     Large  quanti- 
ties were  consigned  to  agents  in  Boston,  New- 
York,  Philadelphia,  Charleston  and  other  prin- 
cipal places  on  the  continent. 

The  crisis  now  approached ;  and  the  conduct 
of  the  colonies,  in  this  precise  point  of  time, 
was  to  determine,  whether  they  would  submit 
to  be  taxed  by  the  British  parliament,  or  meet 
the  consequences  of  a  practical  application,  to 
their  situation,  of  the  opinions  they  had  main- 
tained. If  the  tea  should  be  landed  it  would 
be  sold,  the  duties  would  consequently  be 
paid,  and  the  precedent  for  taxing  them  estab- 
lished, the  opposition  to  which  would,  it  was 
feared,  become  every  day  less  and  less.  The 
same  sentiment  on  this  subject  appears  to  have 
pervaded  the  whole  continent  at  the  s,ame 
time.  This  ministerial  plan  of  importation 
was  every  where  considered  as  a  direct  attack 

VOL.    II.  X 


excited  in 
America. 


154  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  in.  on  the  liberties  of  the  people  of  America,  which 
1774.    it  was  the  duty  of  all  to  oppose.     A  violent 

Ferment  ferment  was  every  where  excited  ;  the  corres- 
ponding committees  were  extremely  active  ; 
and  it  was  almost  universally  declared  that 
whoever  should,  directly  or  indirectly,  coun- 
tenance this  dangerous  invasion  of  their  rights, 
was  an  enemy  to  his  country.  The  consignees 
were  generally  compelled  to  relinquish  their 
appointments;  and  in  most  instances  the  ships 
bringing  the  tea,  were  obliged  to  return  with 
it. 

In  Charleston  after  much  opposition,  the  tea 
was  permitted  to  be  landed,  but  was  imme- 
diately lodged  in  damp  cellars,  where  it  long 
remained  and  was  finally  spoiled. 

At  Boston,  the  people  in  a  meeting  adopted 
the  spirited  resolutions  which  had  before  been 
entered  into  in  Philadelphia,  and  appointed  a 
committee  to  wait  on  the  consignees  to  request 
their  resignation.  This  request  not  being  com- 
plied with,  another  large  meeting*  assembled 


*  The  language  said  by  mr.  Gordon  to  have  been  used 
at  this  meeting  proves  many  of  the  people  of  Boston  to 
have  been  already  ripe  for  the  revolution.  To  the  more 
cautious  among  the  sons  of  liberty,  who  had  expressed 
some  apprehensions  lest  they  should  push  the  matter  too 
far,  and  involve  the  town  and  colony  in  a  quarrel  with 
Great  Britain,  others  answered ;  "  It  must  come  to  a  quar- 
rel between  Great  Britain  and  the  colony  sooner  or  laterj 
and  if  so,  what  can  be  a  better  time  than  the  present. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  155 

at  Faneuil  hall,  where  it  was  voted  with  accla-  CHAP,  m. 
mations  "  that  the  tea  shall  not  be  landed,  that     1774. 
no  duty  shall  be  paid,  and  that  it  shall  be  sent 
back  in  the  same  bottoms. "    With  a  foreboding 
of  the  probable  consequences  of  the  measure 
about  to  be  adopted,  and  a  wish  that  those  con- 
sequences should  be  seriously  contemplated,  a 
leading  member*  thus  addressed  the  meeting. 

"It  is  not,  mr.  moderator,  the  spirit  that 
vapours  within  these  walls  that  must  stand  us 
in  stead.  The  exertions  of  this  day  will  call 
forth  events,  which  will  make  a  very  different 

Hundreds  of  years  may  pass  away  before  the  parliament 
will  make  such  a  number  of  acts  in  violation  of  the  British 
constitution,  as  it  has  done  of  late  years,  and  by  which  it 
has  excited  so  formidable  an  opposition  to  the  measures 
of  administration.  Beside,  the  longer  the  contest  is 
delayed,  the  more  administration  will  be  strengthened. 
Do  not  you  observe  how  the  government  at  home  are 
increasing  their  party  here  by  sending  over  young  fellows 
to  enjoy  appointments,  who  marry  into  our  best  families 
and  so  weaken  the  opposition  ?  By  such  like  means,  and 
by  multiplying  posts  and  places,  and  giving  them  to  their 
own  friends,  or  applying  them  to  the  corruption  of  their 
antagonists,  they  will  increase  their  own  force  faster,  in 
proportion,  than  the  force  of  the  country  party  will 
increase  by  population.  If  then  we  must  quarrel  ere  we 
can  have  our  rights  secured,  now  is  the  most  eligible 
period.  Our  credit  also  is  at  stake  ;  we  must  venture, 
and  unless  we  do,  we  shall  be  discarded  by  the  sons  of 
liberty  in  the  other  colonies,  whose  assistance  we  may 
expect  upon  emergencies,  in  case  they  find  us  steady, 
resolute,  and  faithful." 

*  Mr.  Quincy. 
X  2 


156  THE  LIFE  °^ 

CHAP,  in.  spirit  necessary  for  our  salvation.  Whoever 
17744  supposes,  that  shouts  and  hosannas  will  termi- 
nate the  trials  of  the  day,  entertains  a  childish 
fancy.  We  must  be  grossly  ignorant  of  the 
importance  and  value  of  the  prize  for  which  we 
contend  ;  we  must  be  equally  ignorant  of  the 
power  of  those  who  have  combined  against  us ; 
we  must  be  blind  to  that  malice,  inveteracy, 
and  insatiable  revenge,  which  actuate  our 
enemies  public  and  private,  abroad,  and  in 
our  bosom*  to  hope  that  we  shall  end  this  con- 
troversy without  the  sharpest,  sharpest  conflicts 
....to  flatter  ourselves  that  popular  resolves, 
popular  harangues,  popular  acclamations,  and 
popular  vapour,  will  vanquish  our  foes*  Let 

us  consider  the  issue.     Let  us  look  to  the  end. 

• 

Let  us  weigh  and  consider,  before  we  advance 
to  those  measures,  which  must  bring  on  the 
most  trying  and  terrible  struggle  this  country 
ever  saw." 

The   question   was   again   put   and   passed 
without  a  negative. 

Aware  of  the  approaching  danger,  the  captain 
of  the  vessel  was  desirous  of  retiu;$ing,  >nd 
applied  to  the  governor  for  a  clearance ;  he$ 
affecting  a  rigid  regard  to  the  letter  of  his  duty> 
declined  giving  one  unless  the  vessel  should  be 
properly  qualified  at  the  custom  house.  This 
answer  being  reported  to  the  meeting,  it  was 
declared  to  be  dissolved;  and  an  immense  crowd 
repaired  to  the  quay,  where  a  number  of  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  157 

most  resolute,  disguised  like  Mohawk  Indians  CHAP.  UL 
boarded  the  vessels,  and  in  about  two  hours,     1774. 
broke  open  three  hundred  and  forty  two  chests  ^'^ 
of  tea,  and  discharged  their  contents  into  the  Bostoo.** 
ocean. 

These  proceedings  of  the  colonists  were  laid 
before  parliament  in  a  message  from  the  crown, 
and  a  very  high  and  general  indignation  was 
excited  in  that  body  by  the  outrages  stated  to  Measures  of 

•         '  parliament. 

have  been  committed.   They  expressed,  almost 

J  i  March. 

unanimously,  their  approbation  of  the  measures 

adopted  by  his  majesty,  and  gave  the  most 
explicit  assurances  that  they  would  not  fail  to 
exert  every  means  in  their  power,  effectually 
to  provide  for  the  due  execution  of  the  laws 
and  to  secure  the  dependence  of  the  colonies 
upon  the  crown  and  parliament  of  Great  Britain. 
The  temper,  both  of  the  house  and  of  the 
nation^  was  now  entirely  favourable  to  the  high 
handed  system  of  coercion  proposed  by  minis- 
ters, and  that  temper  was  not  permitted  to  pass 
away  without  being  employed  to  advantage.  A 
bill  was  soon  brought  in  "  for  discontinuing  the 
lacling  and  shipping  of  goods,  wares,  and  mer- 
chandises.:^: Boston  or  the  harbour  thereof,  and 
for  the  removal  of  the  custom  house  with  its 
dependencies  to  the  town  of  Salem. "  This  bill 
was  to  continue  in  force,  not  only  until  com- 
pensation should  be  made  to  the  East  India 
company  for  the  damage  sustained,  but  until 
the  king  in  council  should  declare  himself 


158  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  satisfied  as  to  the  restoration  of  peace  and  good 
1774.  order  in  the  town.  It  passed  both  houses  with- 
out a  division,  and  almost  without  opposition. 
Soon  after  this,  a  bill  was  brought  in  for  better 
regulating  the  government  of  the  province  of 
Massachusetts  Bay.  By  this  act,  the  charter 
was  totally  subverted,  and  the  nomination  of 
counsellors,  and  of  all  magistrates  and  officers, 
vested  in  the  crown.  The  persons  thus  ap- 
pointed were  to  hold  their  offices  during  the 
royal  pleasure.  This  bill  also  was  carried 
through  both  houses  by  great  majorities,  but 
not  without  a  vigorous  opposition  and  an  ani- 
mated debate. 

The  next  measure  proposed,  was  a  bill  for 
the  impartial  administration  of  justice  in  the 
province  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  It  provided 
"  that  in  case  any  person  should  be  indicted, 
in  that  province,  for  murder  or  any  other  capital 
offence,  and  it  should  appear  by  information 
given  on  oath  to  the  governor,  that  the  fact  was 
committed  in  the  exercise  or  aid  of  magistracy 
in  suppressing  riots,  and  that  a  fair  trial  could 
not  be  had  in  the  province,  he  should  send;' -the 
person  so  indicted  to  any  other  colony,  or  to 
Great  Britain  to  be  tried."  This  act  was  to 
continue  in  force  four  years,  and  was,  as  an 
English  writer  observes,  the  counterpart  of  the 
obsolete  and  tyrannical  act  of  Henry  VIII. 
lately  revived  for  the  trial  in  Great  Britain  of 
treasons  committed  in  America. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  159 

A  bill  was  also  passed  for  quartering  soldiers  CHAP,  m. 
on  the  inhabitants,  and  the  system  was  com-     1774. 
pleted  by  an  act  for  making  more  effectual  pro- 
vision for  the  government  of  the  province  of 
Quebec.     This  bill  extended  the  limits  of  that 
province  so  as  to  include  the  territory  between 
the  lakes,  the  Ohio,  and  the  Mississippi ;  and, 
which   was    its    most    exceptionable   feature, 
established  a  legislative  council  to  be  appointed 
by  the  crown. 

Amidst  these  hostile  measures,  one  single 
conciliatory  proposition  was  made.  Mr.  Rose 
Fuller,  member  for  Rye,  moved  that  the  house 
resolve  itself  into  a  committee,  to  take  into 
consideration  the  duty  on  the  importation  of  tea 
into  America,  with  a  view  to  its  repeal.  This 
motion  was  seconded  by  mr.  Burke,  and  sup- 
ported with  all  the  powers  of  reasoning,  and  all 
the  splendor  of  eloquence, which  he  so  eminently 
possessed;  but  it  was  lost  by  a  great  majority. 
The  earl  of  Chatham,  too,  who  had  long  been 
indisposed,  again  made  his  appearance  in  the 
house  of  lords.  He  could  only  have  been  drawn 
.  put  by  the  strong  sense  he  entertained  of  the 
fatal  importance  of  those  measures  into  which 
the  nation  was  hurrying.  But  his  efforts  were 
unavailing.  Neither  his  weight  of  character, 
his  sound  judgment  which  was  yet  unimpared, 
nor  his  manly  eloquence  which  even  at  this 
late  period  of  life,  while  his  venerable  frame 
was  enfeebled  by  disease,  partook  largely  of 


160  THE  LIFE  op 

CHAP,  in.  that  fire  and  energy  which  in  the  vigour  of  his 
1774.  mid- day  course  gave  him  such  commanding 
influence  over  the  human  mind,  could  arrest 
the  hand  of  fate  which  seemed,  with  irresistible 
force,  to  propel  this  lofty  towering  nation  in  a 
system  which  terminated  in  its  dismember- 
ment. 

It  was  expected,  and  this  expectation  was 
encouraged  by  mr.  Hutchinson  then  in  England, 
that  by  directing  these  measures  of  punishment 
particularly  against  Boston,  not  only  the  union 
of  the  colonies  could  be  broken,  but  Massa- 
chussetts  herself  would  be  divided,  never  was 
expectation  more  completely  disappointed.  It 
was  perceived  by  all,  that  Boston  was  to  be 
punished  for  having  resisted,  only  with  more 
violence,  the  principle  which  they  had  all 
resisted;  and  that  the  object  of  the  punishment 
was  to  coerce  obedience  to  principles,  they 
were  yet  determined  to  oppose.  Every  man 
felt  therefore  that  the  cause  of  Boston  was  the 
cause  of  all,  that  their  destinies  were  indis- 
solubly  connected  with  those  of  that  devoted 
town,  and  that  they  must  either  submit  to  be 
taxed  by  a  parliament  in  which  the \  \\erenot 
and  could  not  be  represented,  or  s-ipport  with 
all  the  means "u^jr  possessed,  the!-  brethren 
who  were  doori?fj£f  to  sustain  the  i/rst  shock 
of  a  power,  which  if  successful  *>  re  would 
overwhelm  them  all.  The  nei<  .g  towns 

disdained  to  avail  themselves.^    Hje  Calamities 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

inflicted  on  a  sister  in  consequence  of  her  exer-  CHAP.  m. 
tions  in  the  common  cause.     They  clung  to     1774. 
her  with  increased  affection  ;   and  that  spirit  of 
enthusiastic    patriotism,    which,    for  a  time,  General 

enthusiasm 

elevates  the  mind  above  all  considerations  of"1^6™03- 
individual  acquisition,  became  the  ruling  pas- 
sion in  the  American  bosom. 

On  receiving  the  first  intelligence  of  the 
Boston  port  bill,  a  meeting  of  the  people  of  that  Muy 13- 
town  was  called.  They  were  sensible  that  "  the 
sharpest,  sharpest  conflict  "  was  indeed  now 
approaching,  but  seemed  unawed  by  its  terrors. 
Far  from  seeking  to  shelter  themselves  by  sub- 
mission from  the  threatening  storm,  they  grew 
more  determined  ^.s  it  increased. 

Resolutions  were  passed,  expressing  their 
opinion  of  the  impolicy,  injustice,  inhumanity, 
and  cruelty  of  the  act,  from  which  they  appealed 
to  God  and  the  world;  and  also  inviting  the 
other  colonies  to  jom  with  them  in  an  agreement 
to  stop  all  imports  and  exports  to  and  from 
Great  Britain,  Ireland,  and  the  West  Indies, 
until  the  act  should  be  repealed,  as  the  only 
means  remaining  for  the  salvation  of  North 
America  aild  her  liberties. 

It  was  not  in  Boston  only  that  this  spirit  was 
aroused.  Addresses  were  soon  received  from 
every  part  of  the  continent,  expressing  senti- 
ments of  sympathy  in  their  sufferings^  exhorting 
them  to  resolution  and  perseverance,  andassur- 

VOL.    II.  Y 


162  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  m.  ing  them  that  they  .were  considered  as  suffering 
1774.    in  the  common  cause. 

The  legislature  of  Virginia  was  in  session 
when  the  first  intelligence  of  the  Boston  port 
bill  reached  that  province.  The  house  of 
burgesses  appointed  the  first  of  June  ;  the  day 
on  which  the  bill  was  to  commence  in  operation, 
to  be  set  apart  for  fasting,  prayer,  and  humili- 
ation, to  implore  the  divine  interposition  to 
avert  the  heavy  calamity  which  threatened  des- 
truction to  their  civil  rights,  and  the  evils  of  a 
civil  war  ;  and  to  give  one  heart  and  one  mind 
to  the  people,  firmly  to  oppose  every  invasion 
of  their  liberties.  Similar  resolutions  were 
adopted  almost  every  where,  and  the  first  of 
June  became  throughout  the  old  colonies,  a  day 
of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer,  in  the 
course  of  which,  sermons  were  universally 
preached  to  the  people,  well  calculated  to 
inspire  them  with  the  utmost  horror  against  the 
authors  of  the  unjust  suffering  of  their  fellow 
subjects  in  Boston. 

In  consequence  of  this  measure  the  assembly 
was  dissolved  ;  but  before  their  separation,  an 
association  was  entered  into,  signed  by  eighty- 
nine  members,  in  which  they  declared  that  an 
attack  on  one  colony  to  compel  submission  to 
arbitrary  taxes,  is  an  attack  on  all  British 
America,  and  threatens  ruin  to  the  rights  of  all, 
unless  the  united  wisdom  of  the  whole  be  applied 
in  prevention.  They  therefore  recommended 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  153 

to  the  committee  of  correspondence,  to  commu-  CHAP.IU. 
nicate  with  the  several  committees  of  the  other    1774. 
provinces,    on   the   expediency    of  appointing 
deputies  from   the   different  colonies  to   meet 
annually  in  eeneral  congress,  and  to  deliberate  A  general 

J  congress  is 

on  those  general  measures,  which  the  united  pro'losed- 
interests  of  America  might  from  time  to  time 
render  necessary.     This  measure  had  already 
been  proposed  in  town  meetings  in  New  York 
and  Boston. 

While  the  people  of  Boston  were  yet  em- 
ployed in  the  first  consultations  which  took 
place  on  hearing  of  the  bill  directed  particularly 
asrainst  their  town,  general  Gasre,  the  successor  General  cage 

t  _  arrives  in 

of  governor  Hutchinson,  arrived  among  them.  B°ston- 
Notwithstanding  the  deep  and  solemn  gloom 
of  the  moment,  he  wras  received  with  those 
external  marks  of  decent  respect  which  had 
been  usual,  and  which  were  supposed  to  belong- 
to  his  station. 

In  a  few  days  the  general  court  assembled, 
and  had  notice  from  the  governor  that,  in  pur- 
suance of  the  late  act  of  parliament,  their  place 
of  session  would  be  changed,  and  that  they 
would  be  called  together  on  the  first  of  June  at 
Salem.  To  evade  this  measure  they  were 
hurrying  to  complete  the  business  before  them 
prior  to  that  day,  which  being  made  known  to 
the  governor,  he  hastily  adjourned  them  to  the 
seventh  of  June  then  to  meet  at  the  place  desig- 
nated by  his  instructions. 
Y  2 


164  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.       Soon  after  assembling,  the  house  of  repre- 
1774.    sentatives,  mindful  of  the  importance  of  com- 
jone?.    bining  the  wisdom  of  America  in  one  great  and 
common  council,  passed  resolutions  declaring 
the  expediency  of  a  meeting  of  committees 
from   the    several   colonies    for   the   purposes 
therein  specified,  and  appointing  five  gentlemen 
as  a  committee  on  the  part  of  Massachusetts. 

The  colonies  from  New  Hampshire  to  South 
Carolina  inclusive,  adopted  this  measure;  and 
where  the  legislatures  were  not  in  session,  the 
people  either  elected  delegates  who  chose  a 
committee,  or,  in  the  first  instance,  elected  a 
committee  to  represent  them  in  the  general 
congress. 

The  legislature  of  Massachussetts  also  passed 
declaratory  resolutions  expressive  of  their  sense 
of  the  state  of  public  affairs,  and  the  designs  of 
government,  in  which  they  recommended  to 
the  inhabitants  of  that  province  totally  to  re- 
nounce the  consumption  of  East  India  teas,  and 
as  far  as  in  them  lay,  to  discontinue  the  use  of 
all  goods  imported  from  the  East  Indies  and 
Great  Britain,  until  the  public  grievances  of 
America  should  be  radically  and  totally  re- 
dressed. 

The  more  fully  to  effect  this  essential  purpose 
it  was  again  strongly  recommended  to  give 
every  possible  encouragement  to  American 
manufactures. 

The  governor  having  obtained  intelligence 
of  the  manner  in  which  the  house  was  employed 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

sent  his  secretary,  the  day  on  which  the  com-  CHAP.  m 
mittee  reported  their  resolutions,  with  direc-     1774. 
tions    immediately  to  dissolve   the   assembly. 
He  found  the  doors  shut,  and  being  refused 
admittance,  read  the  order  of  dissolution  aloud 
on  the  stair  case. 

The  day  after  the  dissolution  of  the  assembly, 
the  governor  received  an  address  from  the  prin- 
cipal inhabitants  of  Salem,  now  become  the 
metropolis  of  the  province,  which  does  them 
infinite  honour,  and  marks  the  deep  impression 
^  hich  a  sense  of  common  danger  had  made. 
They  no  longer  considered  themselves  merely 
as  the  inhabitants  of  Salem,  but  as  Americans; 
and  they  spurned  advantages  to  be  derived  to 
themselves  from  the  distress  inflicted  on  a  sister 
town  for  its  patriotic  zeal  in  a  cause  common 
to  all. 

"  We  are  deeply  afflicted,"  say  they,  "with 
the  sense  of  our  public  calamities;  but  the 
miseries  that  are  now  rapidly  hastening  on  our 
brethren  in  the  capital  of  the  province,  greatly 
excite  our  commiseration ;  and  we  hope  your 
excellency  will  use  your  endeavours  to  prevent 
a  further  accumulation  of  evils  on  that  already 
sorely  distressed  people.  By  shutting  up  the 
port  of  Boston  some  imagine  that  the  course 
of  trade  might  be  turned  hither,  and  to  our 
benefit;  but  nature,  in  the  formation  of  our 
harbour,  forbids  our  becoming  rivals  in  com- 
merce with  that  convenient  mart.  And  were 


165  •  THE  LIFE  PF 

CHAP. in.  it  otherwise,  we  must  be  dead  to  every  idea  of 

1774.    justice,  lost  to  all  feelings  of  humanity,  could 

we  indulge  one  thought  to  seize  on  wealth,  and 

raise  our  fortunes  on  the  ruin  of  our  suffering 

neighbours." 

About  this  time  rough  draughts  of  the  two 
remaining  bills  relative  to  the  province  of 
Massachusetts  Bay,  as  well  as  that  for  quar- 
tering troops  in  America,  were  received  in 
Boston,  and  circulated  through  the  continent. 
They  served  to  confirm  the  \vavering,  and  to 
render  the  moderate  indignant,  while  the  vio- 
lent became  still  more  so. 

An  agreement  was  framed  by  the  committee 
of  correspondence  at  Boston,  entitled,  "a  so- 
lemn league  and  covenant,"  wherein  the  sub- 
scribers bound  themselves  in  the  most  solemn 
manner,  and  in  the  presence  of  God,  to  suspend 
all  commercial  intercourse  with  Great  Britain 
from  the  last  day  of  the  ensuing  month  of 
August,  until  the  Boston  port  bill  and  the 
other  late  obnoxious  laws,  should  be  repealed. 
They  also  bound  themselves  in  the  same  man- 
ner, not  to  consume,  or  purchase  from  any 
other,  any  goods  whatever,  which  arrived  after 
the  specified  time,  and  to  break  off  all  com- 
merce, trade  and  dealings,  with  any  who  did,  as 
well  as  with  the  importers  of  such  goods. 
They  renounced  in  the  same  manner  all  inter- 
course and  connexion  with  those,  who  should 
refuse  to  subscribe  to  that  covenant,  or  to  bind 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  Igy 

themselves  by  some  similar  agreement;   and  CHAP.HL 


they  annexed  to  the  renunciation  of  intercourse,     1774. 
the    dangerous   penalty   of  publishing   to   the 
world  the  names  of  those  who  should  refuse 
this  evidence  of  their  attachment  to  the  rights 
and  interests  of  their  country. 

General  Gage  published  against  this  covenant 
a  strong  proclamation,  in  which  it  was  termed 
"  an  unlawful,  hostile,  and  traitorous  combi- 
nation, contrary  to  the  allegiance  due  to  the 
king,  destructive  of  the  legal  authority  of  par- 
liament, and  of  the  peace,  good  order,  and 
safety  of  the  community."  All  persons  were 
warned  against  incurring  the  pains  and  penal- 
ties, due  to  such  dangerous  offences;  and  all 
magistrates  charged  to  apprehend  and  secure 
for  trial  such  as  should  be  in  any  manner  guilty 
of  them.  But  the  time  when  the  proclamations 
of  governors  were  to  be  attended  to  had  passed 
away,  and  the  penalties  in  the  power  of  the 
committee  of  correspondence  were  much  more 
dreaded  than  those  which  could  be  inflicted  by 
the  civil  magistrate. 

In  whatever  province  legislatures  were  con- 
vened, or  delegates  assembled  in  convention, 
resolutions  were  entered  into,  manifesting 
indeed  different  degrees  of  resentment,  but  all 
concurring  in  the  same  great  leading  principles. 
It  was  every  where  declared  that  the  cause  of 
Boston  was  the  cause  of  all  British  America; 
that  the  late  acts,  respecting  that  devoted  town, 


168  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  were  unjust,  tyrannical,  and  unconstitutional ; 
1774.  that  the  opposition  to  this  ministerial  system 
of  oppression,  ought  to  be  universally  and 
perseveringly  maintained,  that  all  intercourse 
with  the  parent  state  ought  to  be  suspended, 
and  domestic  manufactures  encouraged ;  and 
that  a  general  congress  should  be  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  uniting  and  guiding  the  councils, 
and  directing  the  efforts  of  North  America. 

The  committees  of  correspondence  selected 
Philadelphia  for  the  place,  and  the  beginning 
of  September  for  the  time,  of  the  meeting  of 
this  important  council. 

September.  On  the  fourth  of  September,  the  delegates 
from  eleven  provinces  appeared  at  the  place 
appointed,*  and  the  next  day  they  assembled 
at  the  carpenters  hall,  when  Peyton  Randolph, 
late  speaker  of  the  house  of  burgesses  of  Vir- 
ginia, was  unanimously  chosen  president. 
The  respective  credentials  f  of  the  members 


*  Those  of  North  Carolina  did  not  arrive  until  the  14th. 

t  The  members  of  this  congress  were,  generally,  elected 
by  the  authority  of  the  colonial  legislatures ;  but  in  some 
instances,  a  different  system  had  been  pursued.  In  New 
Jersey  and  Maryland  the  elections  were  made  by  com- 
mittees chosen  in  the  several  counties  for  that  particular 
purpose;  and  in  New  York,  where  the  royal  party  was 
very  strong,  and  where  it  is  probable  that  no  legislative 
act  authorizing  an  election  of  members  to  represent  that 
colony  in  congress  could  have  been  obtained,  the  people 
themselves  assembled  in  those  places  where  the  spirit  of 
opposition  to  the  claims  of  parliament  prevailed,  and 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

were  then  read  and  approved ;  and  this  august  CHAP.  ITT 
and  patriotic  body,  having  determined  that  each     1774. 
colony  should  have  only  one  vote,  whatever 
might  be  the  number  of  its  deputies ;  that  their 
deliberations  should  be  with  closed  doors;  and 
that  their  proceedings,    except  such  as  they 
might  determine  to  publish,   should  be  kept 
inviolably  secret;  entered  oft  the  solemn  and 
important  duties  assigned  to  them.* 

Committees  were  appointed  to  state  the 
rights,  claimed  by  the  colonies,  which  had 
been  infringed  by  acts  of  the  British  parliament 
passed  since  the  year  1763 ;  to  prepare  a  petition 
to  the  king,  and  addresses  to  the  people  of 
Great  Britain,  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  province 
of  Quebec,  and  to  the  twelve  colonies  repre- 
sented in  congress. 


elected   deputies   who   were  very   readily  received  into 
congress. 

The  powers  too,  with  which  the  representatives  of  the 
several  colonies  were  invested,  were  not  only  variously 
expressed,  but  were  of  various  extent.  Most  generally 
they  were  authorized  to  consult  and  advise  on  the  means 
most  proper  to  secure  the  liberties  of  the  colonies,  and  to 
restore  the  harmony  formerly  subsisting  between  them 
and  their  mother  country.  In  some  instances,  the  powers 
given  appeared  to  contemplate  only  such  measures  as 
would  operate  on  the  commercial  connexion  between  the 
two  countries;  in  others  the  discretion  of  the  deputies 
was  unlimited. 

*   See  Nute^  No.  XI.  at  the  end  of  t/i%  volume. 


170  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. m.  Resolutions*  of  the  county  of  Suffolk,  in 
1774.  Massachusetts,  of  a  very  animated  and  com- 
prehensive nature,  and  commending,  among 
other  important  subjects,  a  provincial  congress, 
and  that  the  collectors  of  taxes  and  all  officers 
who  have  public  monies  in  their  hands,  retain 
the  same  until  the  civil  government  of  the  pro- 
vince be  placed  upon  a  constitutional  founda- 
tion, or  until  it  shall  otherwise  be  ordered  by 
the  provincial  congress ;  having  been  taken 
into  consideration,  it  was  unanimously  resolved, 

September  10.  "  that  this  assembly  deeply  feels  the  suffering 
of  their  countrymen  in  Massachusetts  Bay 
under  the  operation  of  the  late  unjust,  cruel, 
and  oppressive  acts  of  the  British  parliament, 
that  they  most  thoroughly  approve  the  wisdom 
and  fortitude  with  which  opposition  to  these 
wicked  ministerial  measures  has  hitherto  been 
conducted,  and  they  earnestly  recommend  to 
their  brethren,  a  perseverance  in  the  same  firm 
and  temperate  conduct  as  expressed  in  the 
resolutions  determined  upon,  at  a  meeting  of 
the  delegates  for  the  county  of  Suffolk,  on 
tuesday  the  sixth  instant;  trusting  that  the 
eifect  of  the  united  efforts  of  North  America  in 
their  behalf  will  carry  such  conviction  to  the 
British  nation,  of  the  unwise,  unjust, 
ruinous  policy  of  the  present  administratioi 


*   Sre  Note,  No.  XII.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

as  quickly  to  introduce  better  men  and  wiser  CHAP,  m. 
measures."  1774. 

It  was  also  resolved  unanimously  "  that  con- 
tributions from  all  the  colonies,  for  supplying 
the  necessities,  and  alleviating  the  distresses 
of  our  brethren  at  Boston,  ought  to  be  con- 
tinued, in  such  manner,  and  so  long,  as  their 
occasions  may  require." 

The  merchants  of  the  several  colonies  were  September u. 
requested  not  to  send  to  Great  Britain  any  orders 
for  goods,   and  to  direct  the  execution  of  all 
orders  already  sent,  to  be  suspended  until  the 
sense  of  congress,  on  the  means  to  be  taken  for 
the  preservation  of  the  liberties  of  America, 
be  made  public.     In  a  few  days,  resolutions 
were  entered  into,  suspending  the  importation  of 
goods  from  Great  Britain  or  Ireland,  or  any  of 
their  dependencies,  and  of  their  manufactures 
from  any  place  whatever,  after  the  first  day  of 
the    succeeding  December  ;     and  against  the 
purchase,  or  use  of  such  goods.     It  was  also 
determined  that  all  exports  to  Great  Britain, 
Ireland,  and  the  West  Indies,  should  cease  on 
the  10th  of  September  1775,  unless  American 
grievances   should    be   redressed    before    that 
time.  An  association  corresponding  with  these 
resolutions  was  then  framed,   and  signed  by 
every  member  present.   Never  were  laws  more 
faithfully  observed  than  the  resolves  of  congress 
at  this  period,    and  their  association  MTas  of 
consequence  universally  adopted, 
z  2 


172  THE  LIFE  °F 

CHAP,  in.  Very  early  in  the  session,  a  declaration*  of 
1774.  rights  in  the  shape  of  resolves  was  agreed  to., 
which  merits  peculiar  attention,  because  it 
states  precisely  the  ground  now  taken  by 
America,  and  evidences  the  terms  on  which  a 
satisfactory  reconciliation  was  practicable.  It 
is  observable  that  rights  were,  at  this  period, 
asserted,  which,  in  the' commencement  of  the 
contest,  were  not  generally  maintained  ;  and 
that,  even  now,  the  exclusive  right  of  legis- 
lation in  the  colonial  legislatures,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  acts  of  the  British  parliament,  bona 
fide  made  to  regulate  and  restrain  external 
commerce,  which  from  necessity  were  con- 
sented to,  was  not  unanimously  averred. 

The  addresses  prepared,  the  various  papers 
drawn  up,  and  the  measures  recommended  by 
this  congress,  form  their  best  eulogium,  and 
attest  how  judiciously  a  selection  of  character 
had  been  made  by  the  people,  for  the  all- 
interesting  concerns  intrusted  to  their  care. 
Affection  to  the  mother  country,  an  exalted 
admiration  of  her  national  character,  unwilling- 
ness to  separate  from  her,  a  knowledge  of  the 
hazards  and  difficulties  of  the  struggle  to  be 
engaged  in,  mingled  with  an  enthusiastic  love 
of  liberty,  and  of  country  ;  with  a  conviction 
that  all  which  can  make  life  valuable  was  at 
stake  ;  characterize  their  proceedings. 


*   See  JVbtc,  JVb.  XIII.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  ^73 

"When,"  say  they  in  their  address  to  the  cHp.m. 
people  of  Great  Britain,  "  a  nation  led  to  great-  1774. 
ness  by  the  hand  of  liberty,  and  possessed  of 
all  the  glory,  that  heroism,  munificence,  and 
humanity  can  bestow,  descends  to  the  ungrate- 
ful task  of  forging  chains  for  her  friends  and 
children,  and,  instead  of  giving  support  to  free- 
dom turns  advocate  for  slavery  and  oppression, 
there  is  reason  to  suspect  she  has  either  ceased 
to~be  virtuous,  or  been  extremely  negligent  in 
the  appointment  of  her  rulers. 

"  In  almost  every  age,  in  repeated  conflicts;  in 
long  and  bloody  wars,  as  well  civil  as  foreign, 
against  many  and  powerful  nations,  against  the 
open  assaults  of  enemies,  and  the  more  dange- 
rous treachery  of  friends,  have  the  inhabitants 
of  your  island,  your  great  and  glorious  ances- 
tors, maintained  their  independence,  and  trans- 
mitted the  rights  of  men  and  the  blessings  of 
liberty  to  you  their  posterity. 

"  Be  not  surprised  therefore  that  we,  who  are 
descended  from  the  same  common  ancestors, 
that  we,  whose  forefathers  participated  in  all 
the  rights,  the  liberties,  and  the  constitution 
you  so  justly  boast  of,  and  who  have  carefully 
conveyed  the  same  fair  inheritance  to  us,  gua- 
ranteed by  the  plighted  faith  of  government,' 
and  the  most  solemn  compacts  with  British 
sovereigns,  should  refuse  to  surrender  them  to 
men,  who  found  their  claims  on  no  principles  of 
reason,  and  who  prosecute  them  with  a  design, 
that  by  having  our  lives  and  property  in  their 


174  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.JII.  -power,  they  may  with  the  greater  facility  cn- 
1774.    slave  you." 

After  stating  the  serious  condition  of  Ameri- 
can affairs,  and  that  not  only  the  oppressions, 
but  the  misrepresentations  of  their  country,  had 
induced  this  address;  after  stating  that  they 
claim  to  be  as  free  as  their  fellow  subjects  in 
Britain,  they  say  "  are  not  the  proprietors  of 
the  soil  of  Great  Britain,  lords  of  their  own 
property?  can  it  be  taken  from  them  without 
their  consent?  will  they  yield  it  to  the  arbitrary 
disposal  of  any  men  or  number  of  men  whatever? 
you  know  they  will  not. 

"  Why  then  are  the  proprietors  of  the  soil  of 
America  less  lords  of  their  property  than  you 
are  of  yours,  or  why  should  they  submit  it  to 
the  disposal  of  your  parliament,  or  any  other 
parliament  or  council  in  the  world,  not  of  their 
election  ?  can  the  intervention  of  the  sea  that 
divides  us  cause  disparity  in  rights,  or  can  any 
reason  be  given  why  English  subjects,  who 
live  three  thousand  miles  from  the  royal  palace 
should  enjoy  less  liberty  than  those  who  are 
three  hundred  miles  distant  from  it? 

"  Reason  looks  with  indignation  on  such 
distinctions,  and  freemen  can  never  perceive 
their  propriety. 

"  At  the  conclusion  of  the  late  war.... a  war 
rendered  glorious  by  the  abilities  and  integrity 
of  a  minister,  to  whose  efforts  the  British  em- 
pire owes  its  safety  and  its  fame;  at  the  con- 
clusion of  this  war,  which  was  succeeded  by 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  175 

an  inglorious  peace,  formed  under  the  auspices  CHAP,  m. 
of  a  minister,   of  principles,   and  of  a  family,     1774. 
unfriendly  to  the  protestant  cause,  and  inimi- 
cal to  liberty;  we  say  at  this  period,  and  under 
the  influence  of  that  man,  a  plan  for  enslaving 
your  fellow  subjects  in  America  was  concerted, 
and  has  ever  since  been  pertinaciously  carrying 
into  execution." 

The  former  relative  situation  of  the  two 
countries  is  then  stated,  and  they  are  reminded 
of  the  loyalty  and  attachment  of  the  colonies 
to  the  common  interests  of  the  empire.  The 
transactions  since  the  conclusion  of  the  war  are 
passed  in  solemn  review,  and  they  add,  "  This 
being  a  true  state  of  facts,  let  us  beseech  you 
to  consider  to  what  end  they  lead. 

"  Admit  that  the  ministry,  by  the  powers  of 
Britain,  and  the  aid  of  our  roman  catholic 
neighbours,  should  be  able  to  carry  the  point 
of  taxation,  and  reduce  us  to  a  state  of  perfect 
humiliation  and  slavery ;  such  an  enterprise 
would  doubtless  make  some  addition  to  your 
national  debt,  which  already  presses  down  your 
liberties,  and  fills  you  with  pensioners  and 
placemen.  We  presume  also  that  your  com- 
merce will  somewhat  be  diminished.  How- 
ever, suppose  you  should  prove  victorious.... 
in  what  condition  will  you  then  be  ?  what  advan- 
tages or  what  laurels  will  you  reap  from  such 
a  conquest?  may  not  a  ministry  ^yith  the  same 
armies  enslave  you?" 


THE  LI^E  OF 

CHAP.  in.  The  resources  which  the  subjugation  of 
1774.  America  would  place  in  the  hands  of  the  crown 
are  then  expatiated  on,  and  the  address  pro- 
ceeds, "  we  believe  there  is  yet  much  virtue, 
much  justice,  and  much  public  spirit  in  the 
English  nation.  To  that  justice  we  now  appeal. 
You  have  been  told  that  we  are  seditious,  im- 
patient of  government,  and  desirous  of  inde- 
pendency. Be  assured  that  these  are  not  facts, 
but  calumnies.  Permit  us  to  be  as  free  as 
yourselves,  and  we  shall  ever  esteem  a  union 
with  you  to  be  our  greatest  glory,  and  our 

greatest  happiness we  shall  ever  be  ready  to 

contribute  all  in  our  power  to  the  welfare  of  the 
empire.... we  shall  consider  your  enemies  as 
our  enemies,  and  your  interest  as  our  own. 

"  But  if  you  are  determined  that  your  minis- 
ters shall  wantonly  sport  with  the  rights  of 
mankind  —  if  neither  the  voice  of  justice,  the 
dictates  of  the  law,  the  principles  of  the  consti- 
tution, nor  the  suggestions  of  humanity,  can 
restrain  your  hands  from  shedding  human  blood 
in  such  an  impious  cause ;  we  must  then  tell 
you  that  we  will  never  submit  to  be  hewers  of 
wood  or  drawers  of  water  for  any  ministry  or 
nation  in  the  world. 

11  Place  us  in  the  same  situation  that  we  were 
at  the  close  of  the  last  war,  and  our  former 
harmony  will  be  restored."  * 

•  The  committee  which  prepared  this  eloquent  and 
manly  address,  were  mr.  Lee,  mr.  Livingston  and  mr.  Jay. 
The  composition  has  been  generally  attributed  to  mr.  Jay. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  177 

The  petition  to  the  king  states  succinctly  the  CHAP.IH. 
grievances  complained  of  and  then  proceeds.        1774. 

"  Had  our  creator  been  pleased  to  give  us 
existence  in  a  land  of  slavery,  the  sense  of  our 
condition  might  have  been  mitigated  by  igno- 
rance and  habit.  But  thanks  be  to  his  adorable 
goodness,  we  were  born  the  heirs  of  freedom, 
and  ever  enjoyed  our  right  under  the  auspices 
of  your  royal  ancestors,  whose  family  was  seated 
on  the  British  throne,  to  rescue  and  secure  a 
pious  and  gallant  nation  from  the  popery  and 
despotism  of  a  superstitious  and  inexorable 
tyrant.  Your  majesty,  we  are  confident,  justly 
rejoices  that  your  title  to  the  crown  is  thus 
founded  on  the  title  of  your  people  to  liberty ; 
and,  therefore,  we  doubt  not  but  your  royal 
wisdom  must  approve  the  sensibility  that 
teaches  your  subjects,  anxiously  to  guard  the 
blessing  they  received  from  divine  providence, 
and  thereby  to  prove  the  performance  of  that 
compact,  which  elevated  the  illustrious  house 
of  Brunswick  to  the  imperial  dignity  it  now 
possesses. 

"The  apprehensions  of  being  degraded  into  a 
state  of  servitude  from  the  pre-eminent  rank  of 
English  freemen,  while  our  -minds  retain  the 
strongest  love  of  liberty,  and  clearly  foresee  the 
miseries  preparing  for  us  and  for  our  posterity, 
excites  emotions  in  our  breasts,  which  though 
we  cannot  describe,  we  should  not  wish  to  con- 
ceal.  Feeling  as  men,  and  thinking  as  subjects, 

VOL.  ii.  A  a 


178  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  in  the  manner  we  do,  silence  would  be  disloy. 

1774.    alty.      By  giving  this  faithful  information,  we 

do  all  in  our  power  to  promote  the  great  objects 

of  your  royal  cares,.... the  tranquillity  .of  your 

government,  and  the  welfare  of  your  people. 

"  Duty  to  your  majesty,  and  regard  for  the 
preservation  of  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  the 
primary  obligations  of  nature  and  society,  com- 
mand us  to  intreat  your  royal  attention;'  and 
as  your  majesty  enjoys  the  signal  distinction 
of  reigning  over  freemen,  we  apprehend  the 
language  of  .freemen  cannot  be  displeasing. 
Your  royal  indignation,  we  hope,  will  rather  fall 
on  those  designing  and  dangerous  men,  who 
daringly  interposing  themselves  between  your 
royal  person  and  your  faithful  subjects,  and  for 
several  years  past  incessantly  employed  to  dis- 
solve- the  bonds  of  society,  by  abusing  your 
majesty's  authority,  misrepresenting  your 
American  subjects,  and  prosecuting  the  most 
desperate  and  irritating  projects  of  oppression, 
have  at  length  compelled  us,  by  the  force  of 
accumulated  injuries,  too  severe  to  be  any  lon- 
ger tolerable,  to  disturb  your  majesty's  repose 
by  our  complaints. 

"  These  sentiments  are  extorted  from  hearts, 
that  much  more  willingly  would  bleed  in  your 
majesty's  service.  Yet  so  greatly  have  we 
been  misrepresented,  that  a  necessity  has  been 
alleged  of  taking  our  property  from  us  with- 
out our  consent,  "  to  defray  the  charge  of  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON".  179 

administration  of  justice,  the  support  of  civil  CHAP.IU. 
government,   and  the  defence,  protection  and     1774. 
security  of  the  colonies." 

After  assuring  his  majesty  of  the  untruth  of 
these  allegations,  they  say,  "  yielding  to  no 
British  subjects  in  affectionate  attachment  to 
your  majesty's  person,  family  and  government, 
we  too  dearly  prize  the  privilege  of  expressing 
that  attachment,  by  those  proofs  that  are  honour- 
able to  the  prince  that  receives  them,  and  to 
the  people  who  give  them,  ever  to  resign  it  to 
any  body  of  men  upon  earth. 

"  We  ask  but  for  peace,  liberty  and  safety. 
We  wish  not  a  diminution  of  the  prerogative, 
nor  do  we  solicit  the  grant  of  any  new  right  in 
our  favour;  your  royal  authority  over  us,  and 
our  connexion  with  Great  Britain,  we  shall 
always  carefully  and  zealously  endeavour  to 
support  and  maintain." 

After  re-stating  in  a  very  affecting  manner 
the  most  essential  grievances  of  which  they 
complain,  and  professing  that  their  future  jcon- 
duct,  if  their  apprehensions  should  be  removed, 
would  prove  them  not  unworthy  of  the  regard 
they  had  been  accustomed,  in  their  happier 
days,  to  enjoy;  for,  appealing  to  that  being 
who  searches  thoroughly  the  hearts  of  his  crea- 
tures, they  solemnly  profess,  that  their  coun- 
cils have  been  influenced  by  no  other  motive 
than  a  dread  of  impending  destruction;  they  add,, 
A  a  2 


18(3  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  in.  "  Permit  us,  then,  most  gracious  sovereign, 
1774..  in  the  name  of  all  your  faithful  people  in  Ame- 
rica, with  the  utmost  humility  to  implore  you, 
for  the  honour  of  Almighty  God,  whose  pure 
religion  our  enemies  are  undermining;  for  your 
glory  which  can  be  advanced  only  by  rendering 
your  subjects  happy,  and  keeping  them  united; 
for  the  interests  of  your  family,  depending  on 
an  adherence  to  the  principles  that  enthroned  it ; 
for  the  safety  and  welfare  of  your  kingdom  and 
dominions,  threatened  with  almost  unavoidable 
dangers  and  distresses;  that  your  majesty,  as 
the  loving  father  of  your  whole  people,  con- 
nected by  the  same  bonds  of  law,  loyalty,  faith, 
and  blood,  though  dwelling  in  various  countries, 
will  not  suffer  the  transcendent  relation,  formed 
by  these  ties,  to  be  further  violated,  in  uncer- 
tain expectation  of  effects  that,  if  attained,  never 
can  compensate  for  the  calamities,  through 
which  they  must  be  gained."* 

The  address  to  their  constituent*  is  replete 
with  serious  and  temperate  argument.  In  this 
paper,  the  several  causes  which  had  led  to  the 
existing  state  'of  things,  were  detailed  more  at 
large,  and  much  labour- was  used  thoroughly 
to  convince  their  judgments,  that  their  liberties 

*  The  committee  which  brought  in  this  admirably  well 
drawn,  and  truly  conciliatory  address,  were  mr.  Lee,  mr. 
John  Adams,  mr.  Johnston,  mr.  Henry,  and  mr.  Rutledge. 
The  original  composition  has  been  generally  attributed  to 
mr.  Lee. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

must  be  destroyed,  and  the  security  of  their  CHAP,  m. 
property  and  persons  annihilated,  bf  submission  1774. 
to  the  pretensions  of  Great  Britain.  Their 
greatest  object  being  to  unite  the  people  of 
America,  by  demonstratingto  them  the  sincerity 
with  which  their  leaders  had  sought  for  recon- 
ciliation, on  terms  compatible  with  liberty; 
the  conduct  of  the  colonists  was  contended  to 
have  been  uniformly  moderate,  and  entirely 
exempt  fron\  blame,  while  the  system  of  ad- 
ministration was  treated  as  equally  dangerous 
to  them  all,  though  it  insidiously  professed  to 
be  particularly  aimed  at  Massachusetts.  They 
stated  the  measures  which  had  been  adopted 
by  congress,  and  after  having  declared  their 
confidence,  that  the  mode  of  commercial  resis- 
tance, which  had  been  recommended,  would 
prove  efficacious  if  persisted  in  with  fidelity  and 
virtue,  they  concluded  with  saying,  "  your 
own  salvation,  and  that  of  your  posterity,  now 
depends  upon  yourselves.  You  have  already 
shown  that  you  entertain  a  proper  jsensexof  the 
blessings  you  are  striving  to  retain.  Against 
the  temporary  inconveniences  you  may  suffer 
from  a  stoppage  of  trade,  you  will  weigh  in  the 
opposite  balance,  the  endless  miseries  you  and 
your  descendants  must  endure,  from  an  esta- 
blished arbitrary  power.  You  will  not  forget 
the  honour  of  your  country,  that  must,  from 
your  behaviour,  take  its  title,  in  the  estimation 
of  the  world,  to  glory  or  to  shame ;  and  you  will, 


182  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  with  the  deepest  attention,  reflect,  that  if  the 
1774.  peaceable  rftode  of  opposition,  recommended 
by  us,  be  broken  and  rendered  ineffectual,  as 
your  cruel  and  haughty  ministerial  enemies, 
from  a  contemptuous  opinion  of  your  firmness, 
insolently  predict  will  be  the  case,  you  must 
inevitably  be  reduced  to  choose,  either  a  more 
dangerous  contest,  or  a  final,  ruinous,  and 
infamous  submission.  . 

"Motives  thus  cogent,  arising  from  the  emer- 
gency of  your  unhappy  condition,  must  excite 
your  utmost  diligence  and  zeal,  to  give  all 
possible  strength  and  energy  to  the  pacific 
measures  calculated  for  your  relief.  But  we 
think  ourselves  bound  'in  duty  to  observe  to 
you,  that  the  schemes  agitated  against  the 
colonies  have  been  so  conducted,  as  to  render 
it  prudent  that  you  should  extend  your  views 
to  mournful  events,  and  be  in  all  respects  pre- 
pared for  every  contingency.  A£>ove  all  things, 
we  earnestly  entreat  you,  with  devotion  of 
spirit,  penitence  of  heart,  and  amendment  of 
life,  to  humble  yourselves,  and  implore  the 
favour  of  Almighty  God  ;  and  we  fervent!} 
beseech  his  divine  goodness,  to  take  you*  into 
his  gracious  protection."* 

The  letter  to  the  people  of  Canada  required 
no  inconsiderable  degree  of  address.  '  The  vast 


*  Mr.  Lee,  mr.  Livingston  and  mr.  Jay  were  also  the 
committee  that  brought  ia  this  address. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  ]83 

extent  of  that  province  was  by  no  means  so  CHAP,  m. 
alarming  to  them,  as.  to  their  neighbours  ;  and  1774. 
it  was  not  easy  to  persuade  the  French  inhabi- 
tants, who  were  by  far  the  most  numerous, 
that  the  establishment  of  their  religion,  and 
the  partial  restoration  of  their  ancient  juris- 
prudence ;  were  acts  of  oppression  which  ought 
to  be  resisted.  This  delicate  subject  was  ma- 
naged with  considerable  dexterity,  and  the 
prejudices  of  the  Canadians  were  assailed  with 
some  success. 

Letters  were  also  addressed  to  the  colonies 
of  St.  Johns,  Nova  Scotia,  Georgia,  and  the 
Floridas,  inviting  them  to  unite  with  their 
brethren  in  what  was  deemed  the  common 
cause  of  all  British  America.* 

Having  completed  the  business  before  them,  October  as. 
and  recommended  that  another  congress  should 
be  held  in  Philadelphia  on  the  10th  day  of  the 
succeeding  May,  the  house  dissolved  itself. 

The  t  proceedings  of  congress  were  read 
throughout  America,  with  enthusiastic  admi- 
ration. Their  recommendations  were  revered 
as  revelations,  and  obeyed  as  laws  of  the 
highest  obligation.  It  is  true,  that  in  some  few 
places,  disaffection  to  the  system  of  opposition 
prevailed.  Absolute  unanimity  did  not,  and 


*  These  letters,  as  well  as  that  to  the  inhabitants  of 
the  province  of  Quebec,  were  prepared  by  mr.  Gushing, 
mr.  Lee,  and  mr.  Dickinson. 


184  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  could  not  be  expected,  to  exist.  But  seldom 
1774.  have  a  whole  people  been  more  united  on  any 
occasion ;  and  never  did  a  more  sincere  and 
perfect  conviction,  that  every  principle  of 
right  was  arranged  with  them,  animate  the 
human  bosom,  than  was  now  felt  by  the  great 
body  of  Americans.  The  people,  generally, 
made  great  efforts  to  arm  and  discipline  them- 
selves. Independent  companies  were  every 
\\  here  formed  of  the  most  influential  characters, 
and  the  whole  face  of  the  country  exhibited  the 
aspect  of  an  approaching  war.  It,  however,  is 
apparent  from  the  measures  adopted,  that 
although  resistance* by  force  was  contemplated 
as  a  possible  event,  yet  the  hope,  that  the  non- 
importation of  British  goods  would  so  exten- 
sively interest  the  merchants  and  manufacturers 
of  that  nation  in  their  favour,  as  to  obtain 
thereby  a  repeal  of  the  obnoxious  acts,  was 
fondly  cherished  and  adhered  to?  It  is  impos- 
sible, otherwise,  to  account  for  the  nqrj-impor- 
tation  agreement  itself.  Had  war  been  consi- 
dered as  inevitable,'  every  principle  of  sound 
policy  would  have  demanded  that  imports 
should  have  been  encouraged,  and  the  largest 
possible  stock  of  supplies  for  an  army  obtained. 
Notwithstanding  the  liberal  contributions, 
made  through  the  colonies,  for  the  people  of 
Boston,  the  total  stoppage  of  the  trade  of  that 
town  produced  infinite  distress.  It  was,  how- 
ever, borne  with  exemplary  fortitude,  a  fortitude 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

supported  by  the  consoling  reflection  that  they  CHAP,  m 
were  the  objects  of  general  sympathy  and  admi-  1774. 
ration.  The  merchants,  and  other  inhabitants 
of  the  neighbouring  town  of  Marblehead,  one 
of  the  places  to  be  benefited  by  diverting  from 
the  capital  the  trade  of  the  province,  generously 
offered  to  the  importers  of  Boston  the  free  use 
of  their  stores  and  wharves,  and  to  attend  the 
lading  and  unlading  their  vessels  without  ex- 
pense. They  at  the  same  time  exhorted  them 
to  persevere,  with  that  patience  and  resolution 
which  had  ever  characterized  them. 

Soon  after  the  entrance  of  general  Gage  into 
his  government,  two  regiments  of  foot,  with  a 
small  detachment  of  artillery  and  some  cannon, 
were  landed  at  Boston,  and  encamped  on  the 
common  which  lies  within  the  peninsula  on 
which  the  town  stands.  They  were  gradually 
re-enforced  by  several  regiments  from  Ireland, 
and  from  different  parts  of  the  continent.  The  Troops 

stationed 

dissatisfaction  occasioned  by  the  appearance  of  °"c£oston 
these  troops,  was  increased  by  placing  a  guard 
on  Boston  neck,    the   narrow  isthmus   which 
connects  the  peninsula  with  the  continent. 

This  circumstance  suggested  a  report,  which 
plainly  manifested  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
metropolis  the  temper  of  their  neighbouring 
brethren.  It  was  said,  that  a  regiment,  sta- 
tioned on  the  neck,  had  totally  cut  off  the  com- 
munication of  the  town  with  the  country,  in 
order  to  starve  it  into  submission.  On  hearing 

VOL.    II.  B  b 


186  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  this   report,    the   inhabitants   of  the   adjacent 
1774.    county  of  Worcester  assembled  in  arms,  and 
dispatched  two  messengers  to  inquire  into  the 
fact,  with  assurances  of  immediate  assistance, 
should  it  be  true. 

With    the    laws   relative   to    the    province, 

governor  Gage   received  a  list  of  thirty-two 

New  conn-    new  counsellors,  of  whom  twenty-four,  a  suffi- 

sellors  and  * 

cient  number  to  carry  on  the  business  of  the 
government,  accepted  the  office,  and  entered 
on  its  duties. 

All  those,  who  accepted  offices  under  the 
new  system,  were  denounced  as  enemies  to 
their  country.  The  new  judges  were  every 
where  prevented  from  proceeding  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  justice.  When  the  court- 
houses were  opened,  the  people  crowded  into 
them  in  such  numbers,  that  the  judges  could 
not  obtain  admittance,  and  on  being  ordered 
by  the  officers  to  make  \vay  for  the  court,  they 
answered  that  they  knew  no  court  independent 
of  the  ancient  laws  and  usages  of  their  country 
and  to  none  other  would  they  submit.  The 
obliged  to  houses  of  such  of  the  new  counsellors,  as 

resign. 

were  in  the  country,  were  surrounded  by  great 
bodies  of  the  people,  whose  threatening  coun- 
tenances and  expressions  announced  to  them, 
that  they  must  resign  their  offices,  or  be  sub- 
jected to  the  fury  of  an  enraged  populace.  The 
former  part  of  the  alternative  was  generally 
embraced. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

In  the  present  irritable  state  of  the  public  CHAP.IH. 
mind,  and  critical  situation  of  public  affairs,  it  1774. 
was  almost  unavoidable,  that  every  day  should 
furnish  new  matter  of  discontent  and  jealousy. 
General  Gage  deemed  it  necessary,  for  the 
security  of  the  troops,  to  fortify  Boston  neck ;  Boston  neck 
and,  in  consequence  of  this  circumstance,  it 
was  seriously  contemplated  entirely  to  evacuate 
the  town,  and  remove  the  people  into  the 
country.  Congress  was  consulted  on  this  pro- 
position, and  having  taken  it  into  consideration, 
were  deterred  by  the  difficulties  attending  the 
measure,  from  recommending  it.  They,  how- 
ever, referred  it  to  the  provincial  congress,  and 
declared  the  opinion,  that,  if  it  should  be 
deemed  necessary,  the  expense  of  the  removal 
ought  to  be  borne  by  all  the  colonies. 

This  circumstance  was  soon  succeeded  by 
another,  which  excited  still  greater  alarm. 
The  time  for  the  general  muster  of  the  militia 
approached  ;  and  the  governor,  either  feeling, 
or  affecting  to  feel,  apprehensions  from  their 
violence,  seized  upon  the  ammunition  and  Military 
stores,  which  were  lodared  in  the  provincial selzed by 

general  Gage. 

arsenal  at  Cambridge,  and  had  them  trans- 
ported to  Boston.  He  also  seized  on  the 
powder  in  the  magazines  at  Charlestown  and 
some  other  places,  which  was  partly  private 
and  partly  provincial  property. 

The  ferment  excited  by  this  measure  may 
reaclily  be  conceived.     The  people  assembled 
B  b  2 


183  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  m.  in  great  numbers,  and  were,  with  difficulty  dis- 
1774.  suaded  by  some  considerate  and  influential 
characters,  from  marching  immediately  to 
Boston,  and  demanding  a  re-delivery  of  the 
stores.  Not  long  afterwards,  the  fort  at  Ports- 
mouth in  New  Hampshire  was  attacked  by  an 
armed  body  of  provincials,  and  carried  by 
storm ;  ancj  the  powder  it  contained  transported 
jn  boats  to  a  place  of  safety.  A  similar  mea- 
sure was  adopted  in  Rhode  Island.  These  acts 
of  violence  are  probably  attributable,  in  some 
degree,  to  the  example  set  by  general  Gage, 
and  partly,  to  the  royal  proclamation  prohibiting 
the  exportation  of  arms  and  ammunition  to  the 
colonies. 

About  the  same  time,  a  report  reached  Con- 
necticut, that  the  ships  and  troops  had  attacked 
the  town  of  Boston,  and  were  actually  firing  on 
it.  Several  thousand  men  immediately  assem- 
bled in  arms,  and  marched  with  great  expedition 
a  considerable  distance,  before  they  were  unde- 
ceived respecting  the  truth  of  the  report. 

It  was  in  the  midst  of  these  ferments,  and 
while  these  indications  that  the  commencement 
of  hostilities  was  daily  looked  for  were  multi- 
plying on  every  side ;  that  the  people  of  Suffolk, 
the  county  in  which  Boston  stands,  assembled 
in  convention  and  passed  the  several  resolves 
already  mentioned,  which  in  boldness  exceed 
any  that  had  been  heretofore  adopted. 

Governor  Gage  had,  before  the  general  fer- 
ment had  arisen  to  its  present  alarming  height, 


Massa- 

liussetts. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  189 

issued  writs  for  the  election  of  members  to  a  CHAP,  m. 
general  assembly,  to  meet  in  the  beginning  of  1774. 
October.  He  had  afterwards  by  proclamation, 
countermanded  these  writs  ;  but  his  proclama- 
tion was  unattended  to.  The  elections  were 
held  without  regarding  the  authority  of  the 
governor,  and  the  delegates  thus  elected, 
assembled  and  voted  themselves  a  provincial 
congress.  The  affairs  of  the  colony  were  con- 
ducted by  them,  as  if  they  had  been  regularly 
and  legitimately  invested  with  all  the  powers 
of  government ;  and  their  recommendations 
were  regarded  as  the  most  sacred  laws. 

They  drew  up  a  plan  for  the  defence  of  the  preparations 

*  for  defence 

province ;    provided  magazines,   ammunition,  ^ 
and  stores,    for  twelve  thousand  militia,  and 
enrolled  a  number  of  minute  men,  so  called 
from  their  engaging  to  appear  in  arms  at  a 
minute's  warning. 

On  the  approach  of  winter,  the  general  had 
ordered  temporary  barracks  to  be  erected  for 
the  troops,  partly  for  their  security,  and  partly 
to  prevent  the  disorders  which,  in  the  present 
temper  of  parties,  would  unavoidably  have 
resulted  from  quartering  them  in  the  town. 
Such,  however,  was  the  detestation  in  which 
they  were  held,  and  the  dislike  to  see  them 
provided  for  in  any  manner,  that  the  select  men 
and  committees  obliged  the  workmen  to  quit 
the  employment,  although  they  were  paid  for 
their  labour  by  the  crown,  and  although 


190  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  employment  was  at  that  time  with  difficulty 
1774.    obtained.     He  was  not  much  more  successful 
in  his  endeavours  to  engage  carpenters  in  New 
York,  and  it  was  with  considerable   difficulty 
that  these  temporary  lodgments  were  erected. 
The  agency  for  purchasing  winter  covering 
for  the  troops  was  offered  to  almost  every  mer- 
chant in  New  York,  but  such  was  the  danger  of 
engaging  in  so  obnoxious  an  employment,  that 
not  only  those  who  were  sincerely  attached  to 
the  resistance  now  made  by  America  to   the 
views  of  administration,   but  those   also,  who 
were  in  secret  friendly  to  those  views,  refused 
undertaking  it,  and  declared  "  that  they  never 
would  supply  any  article  for  the  benefit  of  men 
who  were  sent  as  enemies  to  their  country." 
November.       In    Great   Britain,    a   new    parliament    was 
Kini^jn      assembled,  and  the  king  in  his  opening  speech 
parliament,  informed  them,   "  that  a  most  daring  spirit  of 
resistance  and  disobedience  still  prevailed  in 
Massachusetts,  and  had  broken  forth  in  fresh 
violences  of  a  very  criminal  nature;    that  the 
most  proper  and  effectual  measures  had  been 
taken  to  prevent  these  mischiefs  ;   and  that  they 
might  depend  upon  a  firm  resolution  to  with- 
stand every  attempt  to  weaken  or  impair  the 
supreme  authority  of  this  legislature  over  all 
dominions  of  the  crown." 
proceedings       The  addresses  proposed  re-echoed  the  senti- 

of  that  body. 

ments  of  the  speech,  and  amendments  ottered 
were  rejected  in  both  houses  by  very  great 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  19^ 

majorities.1  Yet  the  business  respecting  Ame-  CHAP.IU. 
rica  was  not  promptly  entered  into.  The  admi-  1774. 
nistration  seems  to  have  hesitated  on  the  course 
to  be  adopted,  and  the  cabinet  is  said  to 
have  been  divided  respecting  future  measures. 
The  few  friends  of  conciliation  availed  .them- 
selves of  this  delay,  to  bring  forward  proposi- 
tions, which  might  restore  harmony  to  the 
different  parts  of  the  empire.  Lord  Chatham 
was  not  yet  dead.  "  This  splendid  orb,"  to 
use  the  bold  metaphor  of  mr.  Burke,  "  was  not 
yet  entirely  set.  The  western  horizon  was 
still  in  a  blaze  with  his  descending  glory,"  and 
the  evening  of  a  life  which  had. exhibited  one 
bright  unchequered  course  of  elevated  patri- 
otism, was  devoted  to  the  service  of  that 
country  whose  aggrandizement  had  swallowed 
up  every  other  passion  of  his  soul.  Taking  a  1775. 
prophetic  view  of  the  future  course  of  events, 
he  demonstrated  the  impossibility  of  subju- 
gating America,  and  urged  with  all  the  powers 
of  his  vast  mind  the  immediate  removal  of  the 
troops  from  Boston,  as  a  measure  indispensably 
necessary,  in  order  to  open  the  way  for  an 
adjustment  of  the  present  differences  with  the 
colonies.  Not  discouraged  by  the  great  ma- 
jority by  which  this  motion  was  negatived,  he 
brought  forward  a  bill  for  settling  the  troubles 
in  America,  which  was  also  rejected  by  sixty-  February. 
one  to  thirty-two  voices. 

1  Belsham. 


|92  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  The  day  after  the  rejection  of  this  bill,  lord 
1775.  North  moved  in  the  house  of  commons  an 
address  to  his  majesty,  in  which  it  was  declared 
that  from  a  serious  consideration  of  the  Ame- 
rican papers,  "they  find  that  a  rebellion 
actually  exists  in  the  province  of  Massachus- 
setts  Bay."  In  the  course  of  the  debate  on  this 
address,  several  professional  gentlemen  spoke 
with  the  utmost  contempt*  of  the  military 
character  of  the  Americans ;  and  general  Grant, 
who  ought  to  have  known  better,  declared  that 
"  at  the  head  of  five  regiments  of  infantry,  he 
would  undertake  to  traverse  the  whole  country, 
and  drive  the.  inhabitants  from  one  end  of 
the  continent  to  the  other."  The  address  pro- 
posed was  carried  by  288,  to  106,  and,  on  a 
conference,  the  house  of  lords  agreed  to  join  in 
it.  Lord  North  soon  after  moved  a  bill  for 
restraining  the  trade  and  commerce  of  the  New 
England  provinces,  and  prohibiting  them  from 
carrying  on  the  fisheries  on  the  banks  of  New- 
foundland. 


*  Mr.  Gordon  represents  the  military  gentlemen  to 
have  said,  when  speaking  of  the  Americans ;  "  they  are 
neither  soldiers,  nor  ever  can  be  made  so,  being  naturally 
of  a  pusillanimous  disposition,  and  utterly  incapable  of 
any  sort  of  order  or  discipline ;  and  by  their  laziness, 
uncleanliness,  and  radical  defect  of  constitution,  they  are 
disabled  from  going  through  the  service  of  a  campaign  ; 
but  will  melt  away  with  sickness,  before  they  can  face  an 
enemy  :....so  that  a  slight  force  will  be  more  than  sufficient 
for  their  complete  reduction." 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  193 

While  this  bill  was  depending,  and  only  ven-  CHAP,  m. 
geance  was  breathed  by  the  supporters  of  the  1775. 
present  system,  his  lordship,  to  the  astonish- 
ment of  the  house,  suddenly  moved,  what  he 
termed,  his  conciliatory  proposition.  *  Its 
amount  was,  that  parliament  would  forbear  to 
tax  any  colony,  which  should  tax  itself  in  such 
a  sum,  as  would  be  perfectly  satisfactory.  Far 
short,  as  was  this  proposition,  of  the  demands 
of  America,  and  apparent  as  it  must  have  been 
that  it  could  not  be  accepted ;  it  was  received 
with  indignation  by  the  majority  of  the  house, 
and  the  administration  found  it  necessary,  so  to 
explain  the  measure,  as  to  show  that  it  was  in 
maintenance  of  their  right  to  tax  the  colonies. 
Before  it  could  be  adopted,  lord  North  con- 
descended to  make  the  dangerous,  and  not 
very  reputable  acknowledgment,  that  it  was  a 
proposition  designed  to  divide  America,  while 
it  united  Great  Britain. f  It  was  transmitted  to 

*  See  Note,  JVb.  XIV.  at  the  end  of  the  "volume. 
t  In  the  speech  introducing  this  resolution,  the  minister 
said,  "  if  their  opposition  is  only  founded  on  the  principles 
which  they  pretend,  they  must  agree  with  this  proposi- 
tion ;  but  if  they  have  designs  in  contemplation  different 
from  those  they  avow,  their  refusal  will  convict  them  of 
duplicity."  He  farther  declared,  "  that  he  did  not  expect 
his  proposition  to  be  generally  relished  by  the  Americans. 
But,"  said  he,  "  if  it  does  no  good  in  the  colonies,  it  will 
do  good  here;  it  will  unite  the  people  of  England,  by 
holding  out  to  them  a  distinct  object  of  revenue."  He 
added  farther,  "  as  it  tends  to  unite  England,  it  is.  likely 
VOL.  II.  C  C 


1Q4  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  in.  the  governors  of  the  several  colonies  in  a  cir- 
1775.    cular  letter,  from  lord  Dartmouth,  with  direc- 
tions to  use  their  utmost  influence  to  procure 
its    adoption.      These    endeavours,    however, 

were  no  where  successful.     The  colonists  were 
/ 

universally  impressed  with  too  strong  a  convic- 
tion of  the  importance  of  union,  and  now  un- 
derstood too  well  the  real  principle  of  the  con- 
test, to  permit  themselves  to  be  divided  or  de- 
ceived by  this  proposition  which  was  concilia- 
tory only  in  name.     After  the  passage  of  the 
bill  for  restraining  the  trade  of  New  England, 
information  was  received  that  the  inhabitants  of 
the  middle  and  southern  colonies  were  support- 
ing their  northern  brethren  in  every  measure 
of  opposition.     In  consequence  of  this  intelli- 
gence, a  second  bill  was  brought  in  for  impos- 
ing similar  restrictions  on  the  colonies  of  East 
and   West  Jersey,    Pennsylvania,    Maryland, 
Virginia,  South  Carolina,  and  the  counties  on 
the  Delaware,  which  was  passed  without  much 
opposition.     The   favourite   colonies  of  New 
York  and  North  Carolina  were  thought  less 
disaffected    than    the    others,    and    were    not 
included  in  this  bill.     Fortunately,  some  time 
afterwards,  the  house  of  commons  refused  to 
hear  a  petition,   offered  by  mr.  Burke,   from 


to  disunite  America,  for  if  only  one  province  accepts  the 
offer,  their  confederacy,  which  alone  makes  them  formi- 
dable, will  be  broken."  Ramsayi  vol.  T.  P.  IOS. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

the  legislature  of  New  York,  which  alone  had  CHAP.IH. 
declined  acceding  to  the  resolutions  of  the  1775. 
general  congress,  because,  as  was  suggested 
by  the  minister,  it  contained  claims  incom- 
patible with  the  supremacy  of  parliament. 
This  haughty  rejection  had  some  tendency  to 
convince  such  of  that  province,  as  cherished 
the  hope  of  producing  accommodation  by 
milder  measures  than  had  been  adopted  by 
their  sister  colonies,  that  there  was  no  medium 
between  resistance  and  absolute  submission. 

Notwithstanding  the  ill  success  which  had 
heretofore  attended  the  efforts  of  the  minority, 
a  series  of  resolutions  was  brought  forward 
by  mr.  Burke,  enforced  by  a  most  able  and 
eloquent  speech,  the  object  of  which  was  to 
restore  the  ancient  state  of  things  between  the 
mother  country  and  her  colonies;  but  these 
resolutions  experienced  the  same  fate  which  had 
attended  all  other  truly  conciliatory  propo- 
sitions. 

The  king's  speech  and  the  proceedings  of 
parliament  served  only  to  convince  the  leaders 
of  the  opposition  in  America  that  they  -must 
indeed  prepare  to  meet  "  mournful  events." 
They  had  flattered  themselves  that  the  union  of 
the  colonies,  the  petition  of  congress  to  the  king, 
and  the  address  to  the  people  of  Great  Britain, 
would  have  produced  some  happy  effects ;  but 
the  measures  now  adopted  in  a  great  measure 
removed  the  delusion.  The  new  provincial 
c  c  2 


196  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  congress  of  Massachusetts  published  a  resold 
1775.  tion,  informing  the  people,  that  from  the  dis- 
position manifested  by  the  British  parliament 
and  ministry,  there  was  real  cause  to  fear  that 
the  reasonable  and  just  applications  of  that -con- 
tinent to  Great  Britain  for  peace,  liberty  and 
safety,  would  not  meet  with  a  favourable  recep- 
tion; that  on  the  contrary,  from  the  large  re- 
enforcements  of  troops  expected  in  that  colony, 
the  tenor  of  intelligence  from  Great  Britain, 
and  general  appearances,  they  had  reason  to 
apprehend  that  the  sudden  destruction  of  that 
colony  in  particular  was  intended. 

They  therefore  urged,  in  the  strongest  terms, 
the  militia  in  general,  and  the  minute  men  in 
particular,  to  spare  neither  time,  pains,  nor 
expense,  at  so  critical  a  juncture,  to  perfect 
themselves  in  military  discipline.  They  also 
passed  resolutions  for  procuring  and  making 
fire  arms  and  bayonets. 

In  the  mean  time,  delegates  for  the  ensuing 
congress  were  every  where  chosen.  Even  in 
New  York,  where  the  influence  of  the  adminis- 
tration in  the  legislature,  had  been  sufficient  to 
prevent  an  adoption  of  the  recommendations  of 
the  former  congress,  and  where  the  people  were 
much  divided,  a  convention  was  chosen  for  the 
sole  purpose  of  electing  members,  who  should 
represent  that  province  in  the  grand  council  of 
the  colonies. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  ^97 

In  New  England,  although  a  determination  CHAP,  m. 
not  to  commence  hostility  appears  to  have  been     1775. 
maintained,  an  expectation'  of  it,  and  a  settled 
purpose  to  repel  it,  universally  prevailed. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  firmness  of  this 
resolution  was  put  to  the  test, 

A  considerable  quantity  of  military  stores  had 
been  collected  at  the  town  of  Concord,  about 
eighteen  miles  from  Boston,  which  general 
Gage  proposed  to  destroy.  On  the  night  pre-  April  IB. 
ceding  the  19th  of  April,  lieutenant  colonel 
Smith  and  major  Pitcairn,  with  the  grenadiers 
and  light  infantry  of  the  army,  amounting  to 
eight  or  nine  hundred  men,  were  detached  on 
this  service.  Notwithstanding  the  secrecy  and 
dispatch  which  were  used,  and  although  some 
officers  on  horseback  had  before  the  marching 
of  the  detachment,  scoured  the  roads,  and 
secured  such  people  as  they  fell  in  with,  the 
country  was  alarmed  by  messengers  sent  out 
by  doctor  Warren,  some  of  whom  eluded  the 
vigilance  of  the  patrols  ;  and,  on  the  arrival  of 
the  British  troops  at  Lexington,  about  five  in 
the  morning,  part  of  the  company  of  militia 
belonging  to  that  town,  amounting  to  about 
seventy  men,  were  found  on  the  parade  under 
arms. 

Major  Pitcairn,  who  led  the  van,  q;alloped  Battle  of 

11-  LL  _!•  i  i  L«*Ston. 

up,  calling  out,  "  disperse  rebels;  throw  down 
your  arms,  and  disperse."  The  soldiers  at  the 
same  time  ran  up  huzzaing;  some  scattering 


198  THE  LIFE  OF 

cHAp.m.  guns  were  fired  first,  which  were  immediately 
tl775.    followed  by  a  general  discharge,  and  the  firing 
was  continued  as  long  as  any  of  the  militia  ap- 
peared.    Eight  men  were  killed,  and  several 
wounded. 

The  detachment  then  proceeded  to  Concord, 
the  commanding  officer  having  previously  dis- 
patched six  companies  of  light  infantry  to 
possess  two  bridges  which  lay  at  some  distance 
beyond  the  town.  While  the  main  body  of  the 
detachment  was  employed  in  destroying  the 
stores  in  Concord,  some  minute  men  and  mi- 
litia, who  were  collected  from  that  place  and 
its  neighbourhood,  having  orders  not  to  give 
the  first  fire,  approached  one  of  the  bridges  as 
if  to  pass  it  in  the  character  of  common  tra- 
vellers. They  were  fired  on,  and  two  men 
killed.  The  fire  was  immediately  returned, 
and  a  skirmish  ensued,  in  which  the  regulars 
were  worsted,  and  compelled  to  retreat,  with 
some  loss.  The  country  was  now  generally 
alarmed,  and  the  people  rushed  from  every 
quarter  to  the  scene  of  action.  The  king's 
troops  were  attacked  on  all  sides.  Skirmish 
after  skirmish  ensued,  and  they  were  driven 
from  post  to  post  into  Lexington.  Fortunately 
for  the  British,  general  Gage  did  not  entertain 
precisely  the  same  opinion  of  the  military  cha- 
racter of  the  Americans,  which  had  been  ex- 
pressed by  general  Grant  and  other  officers  in 
the  house  of  commons.  Apprehending  the 


GEORGE   WASHINGTON. 

expedition  to  be  not  entirely  without  hazard,  CHAP.M. 
he  had,  in  the  morning,  detached  lord  Percy,  1775. 
with  sixteen  companies  of  foot,  a  corps  of  ma- 
rines, and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  to  support 
lieutenant  colonel  Smith.  This  seasonable 
re-enforcement  reached  Lexington  about  the 
time  of  the  arrival  of  the  retreating  party,  and 
with  their  field  pieces,  kept  the  provincials  at 
a  distance,  and  gave  the  grenadiers  and  light 
infantry  time  to  breathe.  But  as  soon  as  they 
recommenced  their  march,  the  attack  was  re- 
commenced also,  and  an  irregular  but  very 
galling  fire  was  kept  up  on  either  flank,  as  well 
as  in  front  and  rear,  from  the  stone  fences  which 
abound  in  that  quarter,  until  they  arrived  about 
sunset  on  the  common  of  Charlestown.  From 
thence,  they  immediately  passed  over  the  neck 
to  Bunker's  hill,  where  they  remained  secure 
for  the  night,  under  the  protection  of  their  ships 
of  war,  and  early  next  morning  crossed  over 
Charlestown  ferry  to  Boston. 

In  this  action,  the  loss  of  the  British  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners,  was  two  hundred  and 
seventy  three,  while  that  of  the  provincials  did 
not  exceed  ninety.  However  trivial  this  affair 
may  have  been  in  itself,  it  was,  in  its  conse- 
quences, of  the  utmost  importance.  It  was 
the  commencement  of  a  long  and  obstinate  war, 
and  it  had  no  inconsiderable  influence  on  that 
war,  by  increasing  the  confidence  which  the 
Americans  felt  in  themselves,  and  encouraging 


200  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- "L  opposition  by  the  hope  of  its  being  successful. 
1775.  It  supported  the  opinion  which  had  been  taken 
up  with  some  degree  of  doubt,  that  courage 
and  patriotism  were  ample  substitutes  for  any 
deficiency  in  the  knowledge  of  tactics,  and  that 
their  skill,  as  marksmen,  gave  them  a  great 
superiority  over  their  adversaries. 

Although  the  previous  state  of  things  had 
been  such,  as  plainly  to  render  the  commence- 
ment of  hostilities  unavoidable,  each  party 
seemed  anxious  to  throw  the  blame  on  its  op- 
ponent.  The  British  officers  alleged  that  they 
were  fired  on  from  a  stone  wall,  before  they 
attacked  the  militia  company  at  Lexington, 
while,  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  numerous 
depositions  were  taken,  all  proving  that,  both 
at  Lexington  and  the  bridge  near  Concord,  the 
first  fire  was  received  by  them.  The  statements 
made  by  the  Americans  are  rendered  probable, 
not  only  by  the  testimony  which  supports  them, 
but  by  other  circumstances.  The  company 
of  militia  at  Lexington  did  not  exceed  in  num- 
bers, one  ninth  of  the  enemy;  and  it  can  scarcely 
be  conceived,  that  in  the  perilous  situation  in 
which  they  were  placed,  their  friends  would 
have  provoked  their  fate,  by  commencing  a 
fire  on  an  enraged  soldiery.  It  is  also  a  cir- 
cumstance of  no  inconsiderable  weight,  that  the 
Americans  had  uniformly  sought  to  cover  their 
proceedings  with  the  letter  of  the  law,  and  even 
after  the  affair  at  Lexington,  they  had  at  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  201 

bridge  beyond  Concord,  made  a  point  of  receiv-  CHAP,  m. 
ing  the  first  fire.    It  is  probable,  that  the  orders     1775. 
given  by  general  Gage  prohibited  the  detach- 
ment  under   lieutenant   colonel    Smith,    from 
attacking   the   provincials,    unless    previously 
assaulted  by  them ;  but  it  seems  almost  certain 
that  such  orders,  if  given,  were  disobeyed. 

The  provincial  congress,  desirous  of  mani- 
festing the  necessity  under  which  the  militia 
had  acted,  transmitted  to  their  agents,  the  de- 
positions which  had  been  taken  relative  to  the 
late  action,  with  a  letter  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Great  Britain,  stating  that  hostilities  had  been 
commenced  against  them,  and  detailing  the 
circumstances  which  had  attended  that  event. 

But  they  did  not  confine  themselves  to  ad- vote  of 

mi  •  T          i  p       Massachus- 

dresses.      iney  immediately  passed  a  vote  for  s«ts  f°r 

•  raising  men. 

raising  thirteen  thousand  six  hundred  men  in 
Massachusetts,  to  be  commanded  by  general 
Ward,  and  for  calling  on  New  Hampshire, 
Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut,  for  their  res- 
pective quotas  of  troops,  so  as  to  complete  an 
army  of  thirty  thousand  men  for  the  common 
defence.  They  also  authorized  the  receiver- 
general  to  borrow  one  hundred  thousand  pounds 
on  the  credit  of  the  colony,  and  to  issue  secu- 
rities for  the  repayment  thereof  with  an  interest 
of  six  per  cent. 

The  neighbouring  colonies  hastened  to  fur- 
nish the  men  required  of  them;  and,  in  the 
mean  time,  such  numbers  voluntarily  assembled 

VOL.  ii.  D  d 


202  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  in.  that  many  were  dismissed  in  consequence  of  a 
1775.  defect  of  means  to  subsist  them  in  the  field. 
The  king's  troops  were  now  themselves  closely 
blocked  up  in  the  peninsula  of  Boston,  and  their 
communication  with  the  country  entirely  cut 
off. 

On  receiving  intelligence  of  the  battle  of 
Lexington,  the  people  of  the  city  and  province 
of  New  York,  appeared  to  hesitate  no  longer. 
The  general  spirit  of  the  colonies  obtained  there 
also  the  ascendency.  Yet  the  royal  party  re- 
mained very  formidable,  and  it  was  deemed 
advisable  to  march  a  body  of  Connecticut  troops 
into  the  neighbourhood,  with  the  ostensible 
purpose  of  protecting  the  town  against  some 
British  regiments  daily  expected  from  Ireland, 
but  with  the  real  design  of  encouraging  and 
strengthening  their  friends. 

About  the  same  time,  that  active  spirit  which, 
at  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  seemed, 
in  so  remarkable  a  degree,  to  have  pervaded 
New  England,  manifested  itself  in  an  expedition 
of  considerable  merit. 

The  possession  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point,  and  the  command  of  lakes  George  and 
Champlain,  were  objects  of  essential  impor- 
tance in  the  approaching  conflict.  It  was  well 
known  that  these  posts  were  very  weakly  de- 
fended, and  it  was  believed  that  the  feeble 
garrisons  remaining  in  them,  were  the  less  to 
be  dreaded,  because  they  were  in  a  state  of 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  203 

perfect  security,  entirely  unapprehensive  of  an  CHAP.IIL 
attack  from  any  quarter  whatever.  Under  these  1775. 
impressions,  some  gentlemen  of  Connecticut, 
at  the  head  of  whom  were  messrs.  Deane, 
Wooster,  and  Parsons,  formed  the  bold  design 
of  seizing  these  fortresses  by  surprise ;  and  bor- 
rowed, on  their  individual  credit,  a  small  sum 
of  money  from  the  legislature  of  the  colony,  to 
enable  them  to  carry  on  the  enterprise.  As 
success  depended  absolutely  on  secrecy  and 
dispatch,  it  was  determined  not  to  encounter 
the  delay,  and  danger  of  discovery,  which 
would  attend  their  waiting  to  receive  the  sanc- 
tion of  congress:  and  it  was  deemed  most  ad- 
visable to  proceed  immediately  with  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  ammunition,  in  the  confidence  that 
the  number  of  men,  necessary  for  the  expedi- 
tion, might  be  raised  with  more  advantage, 
among  the  hardy  mountaineers  inhabiting  the 
country  that  bordered  on  the  lakes.  For  this 
purpose,  about  forty  volunteers  set  out  from 
Connecticut  towards  Bennington,  where  the 
authors  of  the  expedition  proposed  meeting 
with  colonel  Ethan  Allen,  and  engaging  him 
to  head  their  enterprise,  and  to  raise  the  men, 
which  would  be  required  to  aid  them  in  its 
execution. 

Colonel  Allen  very  readily  entered  into  their 
views,  and  engaged  to  meet  them  with  the  requi- 
site number  of  men,  at  Castleton,  whither  they 
were  to  repair  as  soon  as  the  necessary  prepa- 
Dd  2 


204  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. in.  rations  could  be  made.  At  this  place  about 
1775.  two  hundred  and  seventy  men  assembled,  who 
were  joined  by  colonel  Arnold.  This  officer 
had  marched  to  Boston  with  a  body  of  Connec- 
ticut troops,  immediately  after  the  battle  of 
Lexington;  and  without  having  had  the 
slightest  communication  with  those  who  had 
undertaken  the  enterprise,  had  engaged  the 
committee  of  safety  of  Massachussetts  to  autho- 
rize him  to  raise  four  hundred  men  for  the 
same  object.  He  joined  colonel  Allen,  with 
whom  he  was  associated  in  the  command,  and 
they  reached  lakeChamplain  opposite  toTicon- 
deroga  in  the  night  of  the  ninth  of  May.  With 
some  difficulty  boats  were  obtained  sufficient 
for  the  transportation  of  the  troops;  and  both 
Allen  and  Arnold  embarked  with  the  first  body, 
consisting  of  eighty-three  men,  who  effected 
their  landing  without  being  discovered.  They 
immediately  marched  against  the  fort,  which 
was  completely  surprised,  and  surrendered 
without  firing  a  single  gun.  The  garrison  con- 
sisting of  only  forty  four  rank  and  file,  com- 
manded by  a  captain  and  one  lieutenant,  was 
incapable  of  making  any  resistance. 

Ticonderoga   having    fallen,    colonel    Seth 
Warren  was  detached  to  take  possession  of  | 
Crown  Point,  where  a  serjeant  and  twelve  men  * 
performed  garrison  duty.     This  service  was 
immediately  executed,  and  the  place  was  taken 
without  opposition. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  205 

At  Crown  Point,  as  well  as  at  Ticonderoga,  CHAP,  m. 
military  stores  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Ame-     1775. 
ricans,  of  very  considerable  value  to  them  in 
their  present  situation.     The  pass  at  Skenes- 
borough  was  seized  at  the  same  time  by  a  de- 
tachment of  the  volunteers  from  Connecticut. 

To  complete  the  objects  of  the  expedition, 
it  was  necessary  to  obtain  the  command  of  the 
lakes,  which  could  be  effected  only  by  seizing 
a  sloop  of  war  lying  at  St.  Johns.  This  service 
was  effected  by  Arnold,  who,  having  manned 
and  armed  for  the  purpose  a  schooner  found 
in  south  bay,  surprised  the  sloop,  and  took 
possession  of  it  without  opposition. 

Thus  by  the  enterprise  of  a  few  individuals, 
and  without  the  loss  of  a  single  man,  were 
acquired  the  very  important  posts  of  Ticon- 
deroga and  Crown  Point,  with  the  command 
of  the  lakes  on  which  they  stand.  Nor  was  it 
among  the  smallest  of  the  advantages  attending 
the  expedition,  that  the  success  with  which  it 
was  crowned,  tended  to  raise  still  higher  the 
confidence  which  the  Americans  felt  in  them- 
selves. 

Intelligence  of  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga  Meeting  of 
was  immediately  communicated  by  an  express  c° 
to  congress,  then  just  assembled  at  Philadel- 
phia; and  the  resolution  entered  into  in  conse- 
quence of  that  event,  furnishes  strong  evidence 
of  the  solicitude  felt  by  that  body,  to  exone-    way  is. 
rate  the  government  in  the  opinion  of  the  people 


206  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  at  large,  from  all  suspicion  of  aggression  or  of 
1775.    provoking  a  continuance  of  the  war  by  trans- 

StlJody.  cending  the  limits  of  self  defence.  Indubitable 
evidence  was  asserted  to  have  been  received, 
of  a  design  formed  by  the  British  ministry  for 
a  cruel  invasion  of  the  colonies  from  the  pro- 
vince of  Canada,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying 
their  lives,  and  liberties,  and  it  was  averred 
that  some  steps  had  actually  been  taken  to  carry 
this  design  into  execution.  To  a  justifiable 
desire  of  securing  themselves  against  so  heavy 
a  calamity,  was  attributed  the  seizure  of  that 
post  by  the  neighbouring  inhabitants,  and  it  was 
recommended  to  the  committees  of  New  York 
and  Albany,  immediately  to  take  measures  for 
the  removal  of  the  cannon  and  military  stores 
from  Ticonderoga  to  some  place  on  the  south 
end  of  lake  George,  there  to  be  preserved  in 
safety.  An  exact  inventory  of  the  stores  thus 
removed,  was  directed  to  be  taken,  "  in  order 
that  they  might  be  safely  returned,  when  the 
restoration  of  the  former  harmony  between 
Great  Britain  and  the  colonies,  so  ardently 
wished  for  by  the  latter,  should  render  it  pru- 
dent and  consistent  with  the  over-ruling  law  of 
self-preservation. ' ' 

Measures,  however,  were  afterwards  adopted 
to  maintain  the  posts  which  had  been  taken ; 
but  probably  from  an  apprehension,  that  their 
having  thus  seized  the  keys  of  Canada,  might 
alarm  the  people  of  that  province,  and  have 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  207 

some  tendency  to  impress  them  with  sentiments  CHAP,  m. 
of   hostility   towards   the   united   colonies,    a    1775. 
resolution  was   soon    afterwards  entered  into,     June7. 
declaring,  that  as  congress  had  nothing  more 
in  view  than  the  defence  of  the  colonies,  "  no 
expedition  or  incursion  ought  to  be  undertaken 
or  made  by  any  colony,  or  body  of  colonists 
against  or  into  Canada." 

This  resolution  was  translated  into  the 
French  language,  and  transmitted  to  the  people 
of  that  province,  accompanied  by  a  letter,*  in 
which  all  their  feelings,  and  among  others,  the 
known  attachment  of  the  Canadians  to  France, 
were  very  dexterously  assailed ;  and  the  effort 
was  very  earnestly  made  to  kindle  in  their 
bosoms  that  enthusiastic  love  of  liberty,  which 
was  too  strongly  felt  by  the  authors  of  the  letter 
to  permit  the  belief  that  it  could  be  any  where 
inoperative. 

The  middle  and  southern  colonies,  though 
not  so  forward  as  the  northern,  were  every 
where  preparing  for  hostilities,  and  the  estab- 
lished government  was  in  all  of  them  laid  aside. 

In  Virginia  lord  Dunmore,  the  governor,  had 
just  returned  to  Williamsbure;  from  an  expedi-  Transactions 

i        T       i  •  •  ?  •     i     i  •  i        ,  in  Virginia. 

tion  against  the  Indians,  in  which  his  arms  had 
been  crowned  with  success,  and  he  had  thereby 
acquired  a  considerable  degree  of  popularity. 
Presuming,  perhaps  too  much,  on  the  public 

*  Set  Note,  M.  XIV.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 


208  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  favour  of  the  moment,  and  dissatisfied  with  some 
1775.  recommendations  concerning  the  militia  and 
independent  companies,  made  by  the  colonial 
convention  which  had  assembled  in  Richmond 
principally  for  the  purpose  of  electing  delegates 
to  congress ;  he  employed  the  captain  of  an 
armed  vessel,  then  lying  in  James  river,  a  few 
miles  from  Williamsburg,  to  convey  by  night 
on  board  his  ship,  with  a  detachment  of  his 
marines,  a  part  of  the  powder  in  the  magazine 
belonging  to  the  colony. 

This  measure,  though  conducted  with  great 
secrecy,  was  by  some  means  discovered ;  and 
the  people  of  the  town  assembled  next  morning 
in  arms,  for  the  purpose  of  demanding  restitu- 
tion of  the  property  which  had  been  taken. 
The  magistrates  prevailed  on  them  to  disperse 
without  the  commission  of  violence,  and  pre- 
sented an  address  to  the  Governor,  remonstrat- 
ing against  the  removal  of  the  powder,  which 
they  alleged  to  be  the  more  injurious,  because 
it  was  necessary  for  their  defence,  in  the  event 
of  an  insurrection  among  their  slaves. 

The  governor  acknowledged  that  the  powder 
had  been  removed  by  his  orders  to  a  place  of 
perfect  security,  because  he  did  not  think  it 
safe  in  the  magazine,  but  he  gave  the  most 
explicit  assurances,  that  he  would  restore  it, 
if  an  insurrection  of  the  slaves  should  render 
such  a  measure  necessary. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

Unsatisfactory  as  was  this  answer,  no  further  CHAP.IH 
means   Avere    used   in   Williamsburg   for   the     1775. 
recovery  of  the  property  which  had  been  carried 
off;   but  from  this  time,  nightly  patroles  were 
kept  for  the  future  protection  of  the  magazine. 

This  subject  was  not  permitted  to  pass  off 
quietly  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  interior 
country.  Meetings  were  held  in  several  coun- 
ties, and  the  conduct  of  the  governor  greatly 
condemned.  In  Hanover  and  king  William, 
the  independent  companies,  at  the  instance  of 
mr.  Patrick  Henry,*  a  member  of  congress, 
assembled  and  set  out  for  Williamsburg  with 
the  avowed  design  of  compelling  a  restitution 
of  the  powder,  or  of  obtaining  the  value  thereof. 
They  were,  however,  stopped  on  the  way  by 
the  active  interposition  of  a  mr.  Braxton,  who 
obtained  from  the  king's  receiver-general,  a 
bill  for  the  value  of  the  property  which  had 
been  removed,  with  which  he  returned  to  the 
companies,  and  prevailed  on  them  to  relinquish 
a  further  prosecution  of  their  enterprise.! 


*  The  same  gentleman  who  had  introduced  into  the 
assembly  of  Virginia  the  original  resolutions  against  the 
stamp  act. 

t  The  independent  companies  in  the  upper  part  of  the 
northern  neck  also  assembled  to  the  number  of  about  six 
hundred  men,  and  proceeded  on  horseback  as  far  as 
Fredericksburg,  where  a  council  was  held  in  which 
Richard  Henry  Lee,  then  on  his  way  to  congress,  presided, 
and  which  advised  their  return  to  their  respective  homes. 
VOL.  II.  E  e 


210  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  in.  The  alarm  occasioned  by  this  movement 
1775.  induced  lady  Dunmore  with  the  governor's 
family  to  retire  on  board  the  Fowey  man  of 
war  in  James  river,  whilst  his  lordship  fortified 
his  palace,  in  which  he  placed  a  detachment  of 
marines  as  a  garrison.  From  thence  he  pub- 
lished a  proclamation,  in  which  he  charged 
those,  who  had  procured  the  bill  from  the 
receiver-general,  with  rebellious  practices. 
The  country,  however,  took  part  against  him, 
and  his  own  conduct  was  generally  censured, 
while  that  of  mr.  Henry  was  very  highly  ap- 
plauded. This  state  of  agitation  was  increased 
by  some  letters,  written  by  lord  Dunmore  to 
the  secretary  of  state,  containing  sentiments 
thought  hostile  to  America.  These  letters 
were  made  public  about  this  time  and  were 
very  severely  censured. 

While  the  public  mind  was  considerably  irri- 
tated by  these  causes,  lord  North's  conciliatory 
junei.  proposition  was  received,  and  an  assembly  was 
suddenly  called,  to  whose  consideration  it  was 
submitted.  The  governor  used  all  his  address 
to  produce,  in  the  assembly,  a  disposition 
favourable  to  the  acceptance  of  this  proposition, 
but  it  was  rejected  here  as  in  the  other  colonies, 
because  it  obviously  involved  a  surrender  of 
the  whole  subject  in  contest.* 


*  In  the  address  of  the  house  of  burgesses  to  the  gover- 
nor in  answer  to  his  speech  at  opening  the  session,  thej 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  211 

One  of  the  first  measures  of  the  assembly  CHAP.IH. 
was  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  inquire,  1775. 
generally,  into  the  causes  of  the  late  distur- 
bances, a.nd,  particularly,  to  examine  the  state 
of  the  magazine.  Although  this  building 
belonged  to  the  colony,  it  was  in  the  custody 
of  the  governor,  who  appointed  the  keeper, 
and  to  him  it  was  necessary  to  apply  in  order 
to  gain  admittance.  Before  this  was  obtained, 
some  persons  of  the  neighbourhood  broke  into 
the  magazine,  one  of  whom  was  wounded  by 
a  spring  gun;  and  it  was  found,  that  the  pow- 
der, not  carried  away,  had  been  buried  and 


say,  in  speaking  of  the  conciliatory  proposition  of  lord 
North,  which  had  been  recommended  to  them  ;  "  We 
examined  it  minutely  ;  we  viewed  it  in  every  point  of 
light  in  which  we  were  able  to  place  it,  and  with  pain  and 
disappointment,  we  must  ultimately  declare,  it  only 
changes  the  form  of  oppression  without  lightening  its 
burden."  They  closed  with  these  expressive  words.... 
"  We  have  decently  remonstrated  with  parliament ;  they 
have  added  new  injuries  to  the  old.  We  have  weaned 
our  king  with  supplications :  he  has  not  deigned  to  answer 
us.  We  have  appealed  to  the  native  honour  and  justice 
of  the  British  nation :  their  efforts  in  our  favour  have 
been  hitherto  ineffectual.  What  then  remains  to  be  done? 
that  we  commit  our  injuries  to  the  even-handed  justice 
of  that  Being  who  doth  no  wrong  ;  earnestly  beseeching 
him  to  illuminate  the  councils,  and  prosper  the  endeavours 
of  those,  to  whom  America  hath  confided  her  hopes,  that, 
through  their  wise  direction,  we  may  again  see,  re-united, 
the  blessings  of  liberty  and  property,  and  the  most  per- 
manent harmony  with  Great  Britain." 

Cordon,  vol.  II.  p.  90. 

E  e  2 


212  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. in.  very  much  injured,  and  the  guns  deprived  of 
1775.  their  locks.  These  circumstances  excited  so 
great  a  ferment,  that  the  governor  thought  pro- 
per privately  to  withdraw  from  the  palace,  and 
go  on  board  the  FoAvey  man  of  wTar,  then  lying 
at  York  town,  twelve  miles  below  Williamsburg. 
Several  letters  afterwards  passed  between  him 
and  the  legislature,  containing  reciprocal  com- 
plaints of  each  other,  in  the  course  of  which 
they  pressed  his  return  to  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment, while  he  insisted  on  their  coming  on 
board  the  Fowey.  They  were  content  that  he 
should,  even  there,  give  his  assent  to  some 
material  bills  which  were  prepared;  but  he 
refused  to  do  so,  and  the  assembly  dissolved 
itself;  the  members  being  generally  chosen  on 
a  convention  then  about  to  meet  at  Richmond. 
Thus  terminated  forever  the  royal  govern- 
ment in  Virginia. 
provincial  In  South  Carolina,  a  provincial  congress  was 

congress  of 

?.ou*.         called  by  the  committee  of  correspondence  so 

Carolina.  J 

soon  as  intelligence  of  the  battle  of  Lexington 
was  received.  An  association  was  formed,  the 
members  of  which  pledged  themselves  to  each 
other  to  repel  force  by  force  whenever  the  con- 
tinental or  provincial  congress  should  deter- 
mine it  to  be  necessary,  and  declared  that  they 
would  hold  all  those  persons  inimical  to  the 
colonies,  who  should  refuse  to  subscribe  to  it. 
They  also  determined  immediately  to  put  the 
town  and  province  in  a  respectable  posture  of 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  213 

defence ;    in   pursuance  of  which   resolution,  CHAP,  m. 
they  agreed  to  raise  two  regiments  of  infantry     1775. 
and  one  of  rangers. 

While  this  congress  was  in  session,  lord 
William  Campbell,  who  had  been  appointed 
their  governor,  arrived  in  the  province,  and 
was  received  with  all  those  demonstrations  of 
joy  which  had  been  usual  on  such  occasions. 
The  congress  waited  on  him  with  an  address, 
in  which  they  disclosed  to  him  the  true  causes 
of  their  present  proceedings ;  and  declared, 
that  no  love  of  innovation,  no  desire  of  altering 
the  constitution  of  government,  no  lust  of  inde- 
pendence, had  the  least  influence  upon  their 
councils  ;  but  that  they  had  been  compelled  to 
associate  and  take  up  arms,  solely  for  the  pre- 
servation, and  in  defence  of  their  lives,  liberties, 
and  properties.  They  entreated  his  excellency 
to  make  such  a  representation  of  the  state  of 
the  colony,  and  of  their  true  motives  as  to 
assure  his  majesty,  that  he  had  no  subjects, 
who  more  sincerely  desired  to  testify  their  loy- 
alty and  affection,  or  would  be  more  willing  to 
devote  their  lives  and  fortunes  in  his  real  ser- 
vice. His  lordship  returned  a  very  mild  and 
prudent  answer."1 

For  some  time  lord  William  Campbell  con- 
ducted himself  with  so  much  apparent  mode- 
ration, as  to  remain  on  good  terms  with  the 

m  Gordon's  Hist.  vol.  II.  p.  82. 


214  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- IU-  leaders  of  the  opposition,  but  he  was  secretly 
1775.  exerting  all  the  influence  of  his  station  in  de- 
feating their  views,  and  was  at  length  detected 
in  carrying  on  some  negotiations  with  the  In- 
dians, and  with  the  disaffected  in  the  back  coun- 
try who  had  refused  to  sign  the  association. 
These  persons  had  been  induced  to  believe 
that  the  inhabitants  of  the  sea  coast,  in  order 
to  exempt  their  own  tea  from  a  trifling  tax, 
were  about  to  engage  them  in  a  contest,  in 
which  they  would  be  deprived  of  their  salt, 
osnaburgs,  and  other  imported  articles  of  abso- 
lute necessity.  The  detection  of  these  intrigues 
excited  such  a  ferment  among  the  people  that 
the  governor  was  compelled  to  fly  from  Charles- 
ton, and  take  refuge  on  board  a  ship  of  war  in 
the  river.  The  government  was  then,  as  else- 
where, taken  entirely  into  the  hands  of  men 
chosen  by  the  people;  and  a  large  body  of 
troops  was  ordered  into  that  part  of  the  country, 
which  adhered  to  the  royal  cause,  where  many 
of  the  people,  contrary  to  the  advice  of  governor 
Campbell,  had  risen  in  arms.  Unable  to  collect 
a  sufficient  force  to  repel  so  formidable  an  in- 
vasion, the  leaders  were  seized,  and  their 
followers  dispersed. 

In  North  Carolina,  governor  Martin  was 
also  charged  with  fomenting  a  civil  war,  and 
exciting  an  insurrection  among  the  negroes. 
Relying  on  the  aid  he  expected  from  some  of 
the  back  settlers,  and  from  some  highland  emi- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  215 

grants,  he  made  preparations  for  the  defence  of  CHAP,  in. 
his  palace;   but  the  people  taking  the  alarm     irrs. 
before  the  troops  he  counted  on  were  raised, 
he  was  compelled  to  fly  for  safety  on  board  a 
sloop  of  war  in  cape  Fear  river;  soon  after 
which,  the  committee  resolved  "  that  no  person 
or  persons  whatsoever  should  have  any  corres- 
pondence with  him  on  pain  of  being  deemed 
enemies  to  the  liberties  of  America,  and  dealt 
with  accordingly." 

As  soon  as  congress  was  in  readiness  to  enter  May  12. 
upon  the  public  business,  mr.  Hancock  laid 
before  that  body  the  depositions  which  had 
been  taken  for  the  purpose  of  showing  that  in 
the  battle  of  Lexington,  the  king's  troops  were 
entirely  the  aggressors ;  together  with  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  provincial  assembly  of  Massa- 
chussetts  on  that  occasion. 

They  had  now  arrived  at  the  crisis  to  which 
things  had  for  some  time  been  rapidly  tending ; 
and  it  became  necessary  for  the  delegates 
the  other  provinces  finally  to  determine,  either 
to  embark  with  Xew  England  in  actual  war,  or, 
by  separating  themselves  from  those  colonies, 
to  surrender  the  object  for  which  they  had  so 
long  jointly  contended,  and  submit  to  that  un- 
limited supremacy  which  was  claimed  by  the 
British  parliament. 

Even  among  the  well  informed  of  the  Ame- 
rican people,  the  opinion  that  the  contest  be- 
tween the  mother  country  and  her  colonies 


216  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.IIL  would  ultimately  be  decided  by  the  sword,  had 
1775.  not  yet  become  general.  The  hope  had  been 
hitherto  indulged  by  a  great  portion  of  the  po- 
pular leaders,  that  the  union  of  the  colonies, 
the  extent  and  serious  aspect  of  the  opposition, 
and  the  distress  which  their  non- importation 
agreements  would  produce  among  the  mer- 
chants and  manufacturers  of  the  parent  state, 
would  induce  the  administration  to  recede  from 
the  high  pretensions  which  had  been  insisted 
on,  and  would  restore  that  harmony  and  free 
intercourse  which  had  formerly  subsisted  be- 
tween the  two  countries,  and  which  they  sin- 
cerely believed  to  be  advantageous  to  both. 
This  opinion  had  derived  strength  from  the 
communications  made  them  by  many  of  their 
zealous  friends  in  England.  The  divisions  and 
discontents  of  that  country  had  been  represented 
as  much  greater  than  the  fact  would  justify; 
and  the  exhortations  transmitted  to  them  to 
persevere  in  the  honourable  course  which  had 
been  commenced  with  so  much  glory,  had 
generally  been  accompanied  with  assurances 
that  success  must  yet  crown  their  patriotic 
labours.  Very  many  had  engaged  with  zeal 
in  the  resistance  made  by  America,  and  had 
acted  on  a  full  conviction  of  the  correctness  of 
the  principles  for  which  they  contended,  who 
would  very  reluctantly  have  engaged  in  the 
measures  which  had  been  adopted,  had  they 
really  believed  that  those  measures  would  have 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  217 

issued  in  war.  But  each  party  counted  too  CHAP.IU. 
much  on  the  divisions  of  the  other,  and  each  1775. 
seems  to  have  taken  step  after  step,  in  the  hope 
that  its  adversary  would  yield  the  point  in  con- 
test without  resorting  to  open  force.  Thus  on 
both  sides,  the  public  feelings  had  been  gra- 
dually conducted  to  a  point,  which  would  in  the 
first  instance  have  been  thought  of  with  horror, 
and  had  been  prepared  for  events,  the  contem- 
plation of  which,  in  the  beginning  of  the 
controversy,  would  have  alarmed  the  most 
intrepid.  The  sentiment  now  prevailing  in 
the  middle  and  southern  colonies  was,  that  a 
reconciliation,  on  the  terms  proposed  by  Ame- 
rica, was  not  even  yet  impracticable,  and  was 
devoutly  to  be  wished;  but  that  war  with  all 
its  hazards  and  its  horrors  was  to  be  preferred 
to  a  surrender  of  those  rights  for  which  they 
had  contended,  and  to  which  they  believed 
every  British  subject,  wherever  placed,  to  be 
unquestionably  entitled. 

They  did  not  hesitate,  therefore,  which  part 
of  the  alternative  now  offered  them  to  embrace, 
and  their  delegates  united  cordially  with  those  of 
their  northern  brethren  in  such  measures  as  the 
present  exigency  required.  It  was  unanimously 
Determined  that  as  hostilities  had  actually  com- 
menced, and  as  large  re-enforcements  to  the  Bri- 
tish army  were  expected,  these  colonies  should 
be  immediately  put  in  a  state  of  defence,  and 
that  the  militia  of  New  York  should  be  armed 

VOL.    II.  F  f  « 


218  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP-  *"•  and  trained,  and  kept  in  readiness  to  act  at  a 
1775.  moment's  warning.  It  was  also  determined  to 
embody  a  number  of  men,  without  delay,  for 
the  protection  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  place, 
but'they  appear  not  to  have  been  authorized  to 
oppose  the  landing  of  any  troops  which  might 
be  ordered  to  that  station  by  the  crown.  The 
convention  of  New  York  had  already  consulted 
congress,  on  the  steps  to  be  pursued  by  that 
colony  in  the  event  of  the  arrival  of  the  troops 
daily  expected  at  that  place  from  Europe ;  and 
they  had  been  advised  to  permit  the  soldiers  to 
take  possession  of  the  barracks,  and  to  remain 
there  so  long  as  they  conducted  themselves 
peaceably;  but  if  they  should  commit  hostilities, 
or  invade  private  property,  the  inhabitants  were 
then  to  repel  force  by  force.  Thus  anxious 
was  congress,  even  after  a  battle  had  been 
fought,  not  to  widen  still  further  the  breach 
between  the  two  countries.  In  addition  to  the 
real  wish  for  reconciliation,  much  felt  by  a 
majority  of  this  body,  the  soundest  policy 
directed  that  the  people  of  America  should 
engage  in  the  arduous  conflict  which  was  ap- 
proaching, wijth  a  perfect  conviction  that  it  was 
forced  upon  them,  and  that  it  had  been  occa- 
sioned by  no  fault  of  theirs,  and  by  no  intem- 
perate conduct  on  the  part  of  their  leaders. 
The  divisions  existing  in  several  of  the  states 
suggested  the  propriety  of  this  conduct,  even 
to  those  who  despaired  of  deriving  any  other 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  219 

benefit  from  it  than  a  greater  degree  of  union  CHAP,  m. 
among  their  own  countrymen.  In  this  spirit,  1775. 
they  mingled  with  their  resolutions  for  putting 
the  country  in  a  state  of  defence,  others  expres- 
sive of  their  most  earnest  wish  for  reconciliation 
with  the  mother  country;  to  effect  which,  they 
determined  on  addressing  once  more  an  humble 
and  dutiful  petition  to  the  king,  and  on  adopt- 
ing measures  for  opening  a  negotiation  in  order 
to  accommodate  the  unhappy  disputes  subsist- 
ing between  Great  Britain  and  the  colonies. 

As  no  great  confidence  could  now  be  placed 
in  the  success  of  pacific  propositions,  the  reso- 
lution for  putting  the  country  in  a  state  of 
defence  was  accompanied  with  others  rendered 
necessary  by  that  undetermined  state  between 
war  and  peace,  in  which  America  was  now 
placed.  All  exports  to  those  colonies,  which 
had  not  deputed  members  to  congress,  were 
stopped;,  and  all  supplies  of  provisions  and  of 
other  necessaries  to  the  British  fisheries  were 
prohibited.  Though  this  resolution  was  only 
a  further  prosecution  of  the  system  of  commer- 
cial resistance  which  had  been  adopted  before 
the  commencement  of  hostilities,  and  was  evi- 
dently provoked  by  the  late  acts  of  parliament ; 
yet  it  seems  to  have  been  entirely  unexpected, 
and  certainly  produced  very  great  distress.  A 
few  days  after  the  adoption  of  this  measure,  it 
was  resolved,  that  no  bill  of  exchange  drawn  by 
any  person  belonging  to  the  army  or  navy 

rf  2 


220  THE  L1FE  o* 

CHAP,  in.  should  be  negotiated,  nor  any  money  furnished 
1775.  to  such  person,  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  colo- 
nies. All  supplies  of  provisions  or  other  neces- 
saries, to  the  army  or  navy  in  Massachussetts 
Bay,  and  to  any  vessel  employed  in  transporting 
British  troops  to  America,  or  from  one  colony 
to  another,  were  prohibited. 

Massachussetts  having  stated  the  difficulties 
resulting  from  being  without  any  regular  form 
of  government,  "  at  a  time  when  an  army  was 
to  be  raised  to  defend  themselves  against  the 
butcheries  and  devastations  of  their  implacable 
eiumies,"  and  having  declared  a  readiness  to 
conform  to  such  general  plans  as  congress  might 
direct  for  the  colonies,  and  so  to  modify  its 
particular  government  as  to  promote  the  inter- 

ests  of  the  union  and  of  all  America ;  it  was 

June  9-  resolved,  that  no  obedience  is  due  to  the  act  of 
parliament  for  altering  the  charter  of  that  colony, 
nor  to  officers  who,  instead  of  observing  that 

charter,  seek  its  subversion.  « 

i 

The  governor  and  lieutenant  governor  were, 
therefore,  to  be  considered  as  absent,  and  their 
offices  vacant.  To  avoid  the  intolerable  in- 
conveniences arising  from  a  total  suspension  of 
government,  especially  at  a  time  when  general 
Gage  had  actually  levied  war,  and  was  carrying 
on  hostilities  against  his  majesty's  peaceable 
and  loyal  subjects  of  that  colony;  and,  at  the 
same  time,  to  conform  as  near  as  possible  to 
the  spirit  and  substance  of  the  charter;  it  was 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  221 

ct  recommended  to  the  provincial   convention  CHAP,  m. 
to  write  letters  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  several     1775. 
places,  which  are  entitled  to  representation  in 
assembly,  requesting  to  choose  such  represen- 
tatives, and  that  the  assembly,  when  chosen, 
do  elect  counsellors;  and  that  such  assembly 
or  council  exercise  the  powers  of  government, 
until  a  governor  of  his  majesty's  appointment 
will  consent  to  govern  the  colony  according  to 
its  charter."" 

These  resolutions,  occasioned  by  the  pecu- 
liar situation  of  the  country,  were  quickly 
followed  by  others  of  greater  vigour,  and 
denoting  more  decidedly  the  determination  to 
prepare  for  the  last  resort  of  nations. 

It  was  most  earnestly  recommended  to  the 
conventions  of  all  the  colonies,  to  use  their 
utmost  endeavours  to  provide  the  means  of  ma- 
king gunpowder,  and  to  obtain  sufficient  sup- 
plies of  ammunition.  Even  the  non-importation 
agreement  was  relaxed  in  favour  of  such  vessels 
as  should  bring  in  cargoes  of  those  precious 
materials.  They  were  urged  too,  very  seriously, 
to  arm  and  discipline  their  militia,  and  so  to 
class  them  that  one  fourth  should  be  minute 
men.  In  addition  to  this  military  force,  recom- 
mendations were  made  for  the  raising  of  several 
regular  corps  for  the  service  of  the  continent ; 
and  a  general  resolution  was  entered  into,  de- 


11  Journals  of  Congress,  p.  115. 


222  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- "*•  claring,    that  any  province   thinking  itself  in 
1775.    danger,  might  rais£  a  body  of  regulars  not  ex- 
ceeding one  thousand  men,  which  should  be 
taken  into  the  pay  of  the  united  colonies. 

Congress    also   proceeded   to   organize    the 
higher  departments  of  the  army. 

Bills  of  credit  to  the  amount  of  three  million* 
of  Spanish  milled  dollars  were  emitted  for 
the  purpose  of  defraying  the  expenses  of  the 
war,  and  the  twelve  confederated  colonies  were 
junsao.  pledged  for  their  redemption.  Articles  of  war 
for  the  government  of  the  continental  army  were 
formed,  though  as  yet,  the  troops  were  raised 
under  the  authority  of  the  states,  without  even 
a  requisition  from  congress,  except  in  a  few 
j"iy  e-  instances.  A  solemn  dignified  declaration  in 
form  of  a  manifesto,  was  prepared  to  be  pub- 

*  The  ratio  in  which  this  sum  was  apportioned  on  the 
respective  states  was  as  follows  : 

New  Hampshire $  1 24,069£ 

Massachusetts  Bay 434,244 

Rhode  Island 71,959^ 

Connecticut 248,139 

New  York 248,139 

New  Jersey 161,290^ 

Pennsylvania 372,208£ 

Delaware 37,2 19£ 

Maryland „ 310,174^ 

Virginia .!...... 496,278 

North  Carolina - 248,139 

South  Carolina 248,139 

g  3,000,000 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  223 

lished  to  the  army,  in  orders,  and  to  the  peo-  CHAP,  m. 
pie,  from  the  pulpit.  After  detailing  the  causes  1775. 
of  their  opposition  to  the  mother  country,  with 
all  the  energy  of  men  feeling  the  injuries  of 
which  they  complain,  the  manifesto  exclaims, 
"  but  why  should  we  enumerate  our  injuries  in 
detail?  by  one  statute  it  is  declared  that  par- 
liament '  can  of  right  make  laws  to  bind  us  in 
all  cases  whatsoever.'  What  is  to  defend  us 
against  so  enormous,  so  unlimited  a  power? 
not  a  single  man  of  those  who  assume  it  is 
chosen  by  us,  or  is  subject  to  our  control  or 
influence;  but  on  the  contrary,  they  are  all  of 
them  exempt  from  the  operation  of  such  laws, 
and  an  American  revenue,  if  not  diverted  from 
the  ostensible  purposes  for  which  it  is  raised, 
would  actually  lighten  their  own  burdens,  in 
proportion  as  they  increase  ours.  We  saw  the 
misery  to  which  such  despotism  would  reduce 
us.  We  for  ten  years  incessantly  and  ineffect- 
ually besieged  the  throne  as  supplicants;  we 
reasoned,  we  remonstrated  with  parliament  in 
the  most  mild  and  decent  language." 

The  measures  adopted  by  administration*|o 
enforce  the  claims  of  Great  Britain  are  then 
enumerated ;  after  which  the  manifesto  pro- 
ceeds. "  We  are  reduced  to  the  alternative  of 
choosing  an  unconditional  submission  to  the 
tyranny  of  irritated  ministers,  or  resistance  by 
force — the  latter  is  otlr  choice — we  have 
counted  the  cost  of  this  contest,  and  find  no- 


224  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  thing  so  dreadful  as  voluntary  slavery.  Honour, 
1775.  justice,  and  humanity  forbid  us  tamely  to  sur- 
render that  freedom  which  we  received  from 
our  gallant  ancestors,  and  which  our  innocent 
posterity  have  a  right  to  receive  from  us.  "  We 
cannot  endure  the  infamy  and  guilt  of  resigning 
succeeding  generations  to  that  wretchedness 
which  inevitably  awaits  them,  if  we  basely  en- 
tail hereditary  bondage  upon  them. 

"  Our  cause  is  just.  Our  union  is  perfect. 
Our  internal  resources  are  great;  and,  if  ne- 
cessary, foreign  assistance  is  undoubtedly 
attainable — we  gratefully  acknowledge,  as 
signal  instances  of  the  divine  favour  towards 
us,  that  his  providence  would  not  permit  us  to 
be  called  into  this  severe  controversy,  until  we 
Avere  grown  up  to  our  present  strength,  had 
been  previously  exercised  in  warlike  opera- 
tion, and  possessed  of  the  means  of  defending 
ourselves.  With  hearts  fortified  with  these 
animating  reflections,  we  most  solemnly,  before 
God  and  the  world,  DECLARE,  that,  exerting 
the. utmost  energy  of  those  powers,  which  our 
beneficent  Creator  hath  graciously  bestowed  on 
us,  the  arms  we  have  been  compelled  by  our 
enemies  to  assume,  we  will,  in  defiance  of 
every  hazard,  with  unabating  firmness  and 
perseverance,  employ  for  the  preservation  of 
our  liberties  ;  being  with  one  mind  resolved  to 
die  freemen  rather  thtm  to  live  slaves. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  225? 

"Lest  this  declaration  should  disquiet  the  CHAP. HI. 
minds  of  our  friends  and  fellow  subjects  in  any    irrs. 
part  of  the  empire,   we  assure  them  that  we 
mean  not  to  dissolve  that  union  which  has  so 
long  and  so  happily  subsisted  between  us,  and 
which  we   sincerely  wish  to  see   restored.... 
necessity  has  not  yet  driven  us  into  that  des- 
perate measure,  or  induced  us  to  excite  any 

other  nation  to  war  against  them we  have  not 

raised  armies  with  ambitious  designs  of  sepa- 
rating from  Great  Britain,  and  establishing  in- 
dependent states.  We  fight  not  for  glory  or 
for  conquest.  We  exhibit  to  mankind  the  re- 
markable spectacle  of  a  people  attacked  by 
unprovoked  enemies,  without  any  imputation 
or  even  suspicion  of  offence.  They  boast  of 
their  privileges  and  civilization,  and  yet  proffer 
no  milder  conditions  than  servitude  or  death. 

"  In  our  own  native  land,  in  defence  of  the 
freedom  that  is  our  birth  right,  and  which  we 
ever  enjoyed  until  the  late  violation  of  it.... for 
the  protection  of  our  property,  acquired  solely 
by  the  honest  industry  of  our  forefathers  and 
ourselves,  against  violence  actually  offered,  we 
have  taken  up  arms.  We  shall  lay  them  down 
when  hostilities  shall  cease  on  the  part  of  the 
aggressors,  and  all  danger  of  their  being  re- 
newed shall  be  removed,  and  not  before.'' 

During  these  transactions,   generals  Howe,      May. 
Burgoyne,  and  Clinton,  with  a  re-enforcement 
of  troops  from  England  arrived  at  Boston;  soon 

VOL.  ri.  c  g 


226  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  in.  after  which,  general  Gage  published  a  procla- 
1775.  mation,  declaring  martial  law  to  be  in  force, 
and  offering  pardon  to  those  who  would  lay 
down  their  arms  and  submit  to  the  king,  with 
the  exception  of  Samuel  Adams  and  John 
Hancock. 

This  proclamation,  like  every  other  measure 
designed  to  intimidate  or  divide,  served  only 
to  increase  the  activity  of  the  Americans,  by 
strengthening  their  conviction  that  arms,  and 
arms  alone,  were  to  be  relied  upon  for  ultimate 
safety. 

It  having  been  conjectured,  from  intelligence 
received  respecting  the  movements  of  the 
British  army,  that  general  Gage  intended  to 
penetrate  into  the  country ;  it  was  recom- 
mended by  the  provincial  congress  to  the  coun- 
cil of  war,  to  take  the  necessary  measures  for 
the  defence  of  Dorchester  neck,  and  to  occupy 
Bunker's  hill,  a  very  high  and  commanding 
piece  of  ground  just  within  the  peninsula  on 
which  Charlestown  stands,  and  which  had 
hitherto  been  neglected  by  both  armies.*  In 
observance  of  these  instructions,  a  detachment 
of  one  thousand  men,  under  the  command  of 
colonel  Prescot,  was  ordered  to  take  possession 
of  this  ground ;  but  by  some  mistake,  Breed's 

*  Charlestown  h  separated  from  Boston  only  by  a  nar- 
row sheet  of  water,  over  which  a  bridge  has  since  been 
thrown. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  227 

Hill,   situated  on  the  farther  part  of  the  penin-  CHAP,  m. 
sula,  next  to  Boston,  was  marked  out  instead     irrs. 
of  Bunker's  hill  for  the  intrenchments  proposed 
to  be  thrown  up. 

The  party  sent  on  this  service  proceeded  to 
Breed's  hill,  and  worked  with  so  much  diligence 
and  secrecy,  that,  by  the  dawn  of  day,  they 
had  thrown  up  a  small  square  redoubt,  about 
forty  yards  on  each  side;  without  having  given 
the  least  alarm  to  some  ships  of  war  which  were 
stationed  in  the  river  at  no  great  distance  from 
them.  As  soon  as  light  had  discovered  this 
new  work  to  the  enemy,  a  heavy  cannonade 
was  commenced  upon  it,  which  the  provincials 
bore  with  firmness.  They  continued  their 
labour  until  they  had  thrown  up  a  small  breast 
work  stretching  from  the  east  side  of  the  re- 
doubt to  the  bottom  of  the  hill,  so  as  very  con- 
siderably to  extend  their  line  of  defence. 

As  this  eminence  overlooked  Boston,  general 
Gage  thought  it  necessary  to  drive  the  provin- 
cials from  it.  To  effect  this  object,  he  detached 
major  general  Howe,  and  brigadier  general 
Pigot,  at  the  head  of  ten  companies  of  grena- 
diers, and  the  same  number  of  light  infantry, 
with  a  proper  proportion  of  field  artillery. 
These  troops  landed  at  Moreton's  point  where 
they  immediately  formed;  but,  perceiving  the 
Americans  to  wait  for  them  with  firmness, 
they  remained  on  their  ground  until  the  success 
of  the  enterprise  should  be  rendered  secure  by 
eg  2 


228  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  in.  the  arrival  of  a  re-enforcement  from  Boston, 
1775.  for  which  general  Howe  had  applied.  During 
this  interval  the  Americans  also  were  re-en- 
forced by  a  body  of  their  countrymen  led  by 
generals  Warren  and  Pommeroy;  and  they 
availed  themselves  of  this  delay,  to  increase 
their  security  by  pulling  up  some  adjoining 
post  and  rail  fences,  and  arranging  them  in  two 
parallel  lines  at  a  small  distance  from  each  other ; 
the  space  between  which  they  filled  up  with 
hay,  so  as  to  form  a  complete  cover  from  the 
musketry  of  the  enemy. 

On  being  joined  by  their  second  detachment, 
the  British  troops,  who  were  formed  in  two 
lines,  advanced  slowly  under  cover  of  a  very 
heavy  discharge  of  cannon  and  howitzers,  fre- 
quently halting  in  order  to  allow  their  artillery 
time  to  demolish  the  works.  While  they  were 
advancing,  orders  were  given  to  set  fire  to 
Charlestown,  a  handsome  village  containing 
about  five  hundred  houses,  which  flanked  their 
line  of  march.  The  buildings  were  chiefly  of 
wood,  and  the  flames  were  quickly  communi- 
cated so  extensively,  that  almost  the  whole 
town  was  in  one  great  blaze.* 


*  To  justify  this  severe  policy,  it  has  been  alleged  that 
the  houses  afforded  a  cover  to  the  Americans,  who  fired 
on  the  flank  of  the  British  columns  advancing  against 
Breed's  hill;  but  the  truth  of  this  assertion  is  denied  by 
all  the  provincial  accounts,  which  allege,  with  great  pro- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  229 

It  is  not  easy  to  conceive  a  more  grand  and  CHAP,  m. 
a  more  awful  spectacle  than  was  now  exhibited ;  1775. 
nor  a  moment  of  more  anxious  expectation  than 
that  which  was  now  presented.  The  scene  of 
action  was  in  full  view  of  the  heights  of  Boston 
and  of  its  neighbourhood,  which  were  covered 
with  spectators  taking  deep  and  opposite  inter- 
ests in  the  events  passing  before  them.  The 
soldiers  of  the  two  hostile  armies  not  on  duty, 
the  citizens  of  Boston,  and  the  inhabitants  of 
the  adjacent  country,  all  feeling  emotions  which 
set  description  at  defiance,  wrere  witnesses  of 
the  majestic  and  tremendous  scene. 

The  provincials  permitted  the  enemy  to  ap-  Battle  of 
proach  unmolested  within'  less  than  one  hun- 
dred yards  of  their  works,  when  they  poured 
in  upon  them  so  deadly  a  fire  of  small  arms  that 
the  British  line  was  totally  broken,  and  fell 
back  with  precipitation  towards  the  landing 
place.  By  the  very  great  exertions  of  their 
officers  they  were  rallied,  and  brought  up  to  the 
charge ;  but  were  again  driven  back  in  confusion 
by  the  heavy  and  incessant  fire  from  the  works. 
General  Howe  is  said  to  have  been  left  at  one 
time  almost  alone,  and  it  is  certain  that  very 
few  officers  about  his  person  escaped  unhurt. 

The  impression  to  be*made  by  victory  or 
defeat,    in  this   early  stage  of  the  war,    was 

bability,  that  the  troops  were  withdrawn  from  the  town 
under  an  apprehension  that  the  enemy,  after  passing  it, 
might  suddenly  turn  upon  them  and  cut  off  their  retreat. 


230  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- m-  deemed  of  the  utmost  consequence ;  and,  there- 
1775.  forej  very  extraordinary  exertions  were  made 
once  more  to  rally  the  English.  With  great 
difficulty,  they  were  a  third  time  led  up  to  the 
works.  The  redoubt  was  now  attacked  on  three 
sides  at  once,  while  some  pieces  of  artillery, 
which  had  been  brought  to  bear  on  the  breast 
work,  raked  it  from  end  to  end.  The  cross  fire 
too,  from  the  ships  and  floating  batteries,  not 
only  annoyed  the  works  on  Breed's  hill,  but 
deterred  any  considerable  re-enforcements  from 
passing  into  the  peninsula,  and  coming  to  their 
assistance.  The  ammunition  of  the  Americans 
was  now  so  nearly  exhausted,  that  they  were 
no  longer  able  to  keep  up  the  same  incessant 
stream  of  fire,  which  had  twice  repulsed  the 
enemy;  and,  on  this  third  attempt,  the  redoubt, 
the  walls  of  which  the  English  mounted  with 
ease,  was  carried  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 
Yet  the  Americans,  many  of  whom  were  with- 
out bayonets,  are  said  to  have  maintained  the 
contest  with  clubbed  muskets,  until  the  redoubt 
was  half  filled  with  the  king's  troops. 

The  redoubt  being  lost,  the  breast  work, 
which  had  been  defended  with  equal  courage 
and  obstinacy,  was  necessarily  abandoned ;  and 
the  very  hazardous  operation  undertaken,  of 
retreating,  in  the  face  of  a  victorious  enemy, 
over  Charlestown  neck;  where  they  were  ex- 
posed to  the  same  cross  fire  from  the  Glasgoxv 
man  of  war  and  two  floating  batteries,  which 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  231 

had  deterred  the  re-enforcements  ordered  to  CHAP- UI- 
their  aid,  from  coming  to  their  assistance,  and 
had  probably  prevented  their  receiving  proper 
supplies  of  ammunition. 

In  this  enterprise,  about  three  thousand  men 
composing  the  flower  of  the  British  army  were 
engaged,  and  high  encomiums  were  bestowed 
on  the  resolution  they  manifested.  Their  killed 
and  wounded  amounted,  according  to  the  re- 
turns of  general  Gage,  to  one  thousand  and  fifty- 
four....  an  immense  proportion  of  the  number 
engaged  in  the  action.  Notwithstanding  the 
danger  of  their  retreat  over  Charlestown  neck, 
the  loss  of  the  Americans  was  stated  at  only 
four  hundred  and  fifty  men,  including  the  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing.  Among  the  former, 
was  doctor  Warren,  a  gentleman  greatly  beloved 
and  regretted,  who  fell  just  after  the  provincials 
began  their  retreat  from  the  breast  work. 

The  colonial  force  engaged  in  this  action  was 
stated  through  the  country  at  fifteen  hundred ; 
by  some  it  has  been  supposed  to  have  amounted 
to  four  thousand. 

Although  the  ground  was  lost,  the  Americans 
claimed  the  victory.  Their  confidence  in  them- 
selves was  greatly  increased;  and  it  was  uni- 
versally asked,  how  many  more  such  triumphs 
the  British  army  could  afford  ? 

The  enemy  had  been  treated  too  roughly  in 
the  action  to  attempt  further  offensive  operations, 
and  they  contented  themselves  with  seizing  and 


232  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. in.  fortifying    Bunker's    hill,    which    secured    to 
1775.    them  the  peninsula  of  Charlestown,  in  which, 
however,  they  remained  as  closely  blockaded 
as  in  that  of  Boston. 

The  Americans  were  very  greatly  elated  by 
the  intrepidity  their  raw  troops  had  displayed, 
and  the  execution  which  had  been  done  by 
them  in  this  engagement.  Their  opinion  of  the 
superiority  of  veterans  over  men  untrained  to 
the  duties  of  a  soldier,  sustained  no  inconsider- 
able diminution,  and  they  fondly  cherished  the 
belief,  that  courage  and  dexterity  in  the  use 
of  fire  arms  would  bestow  advantages  amply 
compensating  the  want  of  discipline.  Unfortu- 
nately for  their  country  this  course  of  thinking 
was  not  confined  to  the  soldiers.  It  seems  to 
have  extended  to  those  who  guided  the  public 
councils,  and  to  have  contributed  to  the  adoption 
of  a  system  which,  more  than  once,  brought 
the  cause  for  which  they  had  taken  up  arms  to 
the  brink  of  ruin.  They  did  not  distinguish 
sufficiently  between  the  momentary  efforts  of  a 
few  brave  men,  brought  together  by  a  high 
sense  of  the  injuries^w'ith  which  their  country 
was  threatened,  and  carried  into  action  while 
under  the  influence  of  keen  resentments;  and 
that  continued  suffering,  those  steady  persever- 
ing exertions,  which  must  be  necessary  to  bring 
so  serious  and  so  important  a  contest  to  a  happy 
termination.  Nor  did  they  examine  with  suf- 
ficient accuracy  nor  allow  sufficient  influence 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  233 

to  several  striking  circumstances  attending  the  CHAP.IH. 
battle  which  had  been  fought.  It  is  not  easy  irri. 
to  read  the  accounts  given  of  that  action  with- 
out being  persuaded,  that  had  the  Americans  on 
Breed's  hill  been  supplied  with  ammunition  and 
properly  supported,  had  the  re-enforcements 
ordered  to  their  assistance  actually  entered  the 
peninsula,  as  soldiers  in  habits  of  obedience 
would  have  done,  and  displayed  the  same 
heroic  courage  which  was  exhibited  by  their 
countrymen  engaged  in  defence  of  the  works; 
the  assailants  must  have  been  defeated,  and  the 
flower  of  the  British  army  cut  to  pieces.  It 
ought  also  to  have  been  remarked  that,  while 
the  many  were  prevented  by  the  danger  which 
presented  itself  to  them,  from  executing  the 
orders  they  had  received,  only  the  few,  who 
were  endowed  with  more  than  a  usual  portion 
of  bravery,  encountered  that  danger;  and  that 
it  is  not  by  the  few  great  victories  are  to  be 
obtained,  or  a  country  to  be  saved. 

Amidst  these  preparations  for  war,  the  voice 
of  peace  was  yet  heard.  Allegiance  to  the  king 
was  still  acknowledged,  and  a  lingering  hope 
remained  that  an  accommodation  was  not  im- 
possible. The  petition  voted  to  his  majesty 
was  full  of  professions  of  duty  and  attachment; 
and  a  letter  to  the  people  of  England,  in  which 
they  are  conjured,  by  the  endearing  appellations 
of  friends,  countrymen,  and  brethren,  to  pre- 
vent the  dissolution  of  "  that  connexion,  which 

VOL.    II.  H  h 


34  THE  LIFE  OF 

HAp.nr.  the  remembrance  of  former  friendships,,  pride 
1775.  in  the  glorious  achievements  of  common  Ances- 
tors, and  aifection  for  the  heirs  of  their  virtues, 
had  heretofore  maintained."  In  all  their  ad- 
dresses, they  disclaimed  the  idea  of  indepen- 
dence, and  profess  themselves  to  consider  a 
union  with  England,  on  constitutional  prin- 
ciples, as  the  greatest  blessing  which  could  be 
bestowed  on  them. 

But  Britain  had  determined  to  maintain,  by 
force,  the  legislative  supremacy  of  parliament; 
and  America  had  determined,  by  force,  to  re- 
pel the  claim. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  2i 

CHAPTER  IV. 

M 

Colonel  Washington  appointed  commander  in  chief  of  the 
American  forces... .Arrives  at  Cambridge.... Strength 
and  disposition  of  the  two  armies. ..^Deficiency  of  the 
Americans  in  arms  and  ammunition.... Falmouth  burnt.... 
Success  of  the  American  cruisers. ...Distress  of  the  Bri- 
tish from  the  want  of  fresh  provisions. ...Difficulty  of 
re-enlisting  the  army. ...Plans  for  attacking  Boston.... 
Possession  taken  of  the  heights  of  Dorchester.. ..Boston 
evacuated. 

-T  ROM  the  period  of  his  marriage,  the  atten-  1775. 
tions  of  colonel  Washington,  who  had  retired 
to  Mount  Vernon,  were  for  several  years 
principally  directed  to  the  management  of  his 
estate,  which  had  now  become  considerable, 
and  which  he  greatly  improved.  He  continued, 
however,  a  most  respected  member  of  the  legis- 
lature of  his  country,  in  which  he  took  an  early 
and  a  decided  part  in  the  opposition  made  to  the 
principle  of  taxation,  asserted  by  the  British 
parliament.  He  was  chosen  by  the  independent 
companies  formed  through  the  northern  parts 
of  Virginia,  to  command  them,  and  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  first  congress  which  met  at 
Philadelphia,  in  which  body,  he  was  very  soon 
distinguished  as  the  soldier  of  America.  He 
was  placed  on  all  those  committees  whose  duty 
it  was  to  make  arrangements  for  defence,  and 
when  it  became  necessary  to  appoint  a  com- 
mander in  chief,  his  military  character,  the 
nh  2 


236  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. iv.  solidity  of  his  judgment,  the  steady  firmness 
1775.  of  his  temper,  the  dignity  of  his  person  and 
deportment,  the  confidence  inspired  by  his 
patriotism  and  integrity,  and  the  independence 
of  his  circumstances,  combined  with  that  policy 
which  actuated  New  England,  and  induced  a 
wish  to  engage  the  southern  colonies  cordially 
in  the  war,  to  designate  him  in  the  opinion  of 
all,  as  the  person  to  whom  the  destinies  of  his 
country  should  be  confided. 

coionei  He  was  unanimously  chosen  "  general,  and 

Washington  i          «  i   •      r>       r>      i  r       i  •        J 

appointed     commander  in  chief  of  the  armv  of  the  united 

commander 

theCAmferifcan  colonies,  and  all  the  forces  now  raised,  or  to  be 

_  raised  by  them."* 

Jtme  15-  When,  the  next  day,  the  president  commu- 
nicated this  appointment  to  him,  he  modestly 
answered,  that  though  truly  sensible  of  the 
high  honour  done  him,  yet  he  felt  great  distress 
from  a  consciousness  that  his  abilities  and 
military  experience,  might  not  be  equal  to  the 
extensive  and  important  trust.  However,  as 
the  congress  desired  it,  he  would  enter  upon 
the  momentous  duty,  and  exert  every  power 
he  possessed  in  their  service,  and  for  support 
of  the  glorious  cause.  He  begged  them  to 
.'  accept  his  cordial  thanks  for  this  distinguished 
testimony  of  their  approbation,  and  then  added, 

"  But  lest  some  unlucky  event  should 

happen  unfavourable  to  my  reputation,  I  beg  it 

*   See  'Note,  No.  XV.  eft  the  end  of  the  volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  237 

may  be  remembered  by  every  gentleman  in  the  CHAP,  iv. 
room,  that  I  this  day  declare  with  the  utmost 
sincerity,    I  do  not  think  myself  equal  to  the 
command  I  am  honoured  with." 

He  declined  all  compensation  for  his  services 
and  avowed  an  intention  to  keep  an  exact 
account  of  his  expenses,  which  he  should  rely 
on  congress  to  discharge. 

A  special  commission  was  made  out  for 
him,*  and  a  solemn  resolution  was  unani- 
mously entered  into,  declaring  that  congress 
would  maintain,  assist,  and  adhere  to  him  as 
the  general  and  commander  in  chief  of  the 
forces  raised,  or  to  be  raised,  for  the  mainte- 
nance and  preservation  of  American  liberty, 
with  their  lives  and  fortunes. 

He  prepared,  without  delay,  to  enter  upon 
the  arduous  duties  of  his  station,  and,  having 
passed  a  few  days  in  New  York,  where  general 
Schuyler  commanded,  and  where  several  very 
important  arrangements  were  to  be  made,  he 
proceeded  with  the  utmost  dispatch  to  Cam- 


*  Artemus  Ward,  of  Massachusetts,  who  had  com- 
manded the  troops  before  Boston ;  colonel  Lee,  a  British 
officer,  who  had  distinguished  himself  in  Portugal,  but 
had  resigned  his  commission  in  the  service  of  the  king; 
Philip  Schuyler,  of  New  York  ;>  and  Israel  Putnam,  of 
Connecticut,  now  also  before  Boston;  were  appointed  to 
the  rank  of  major  generals:  and  mr.  Horatio  Gates,  who 
had  held  the  rank  of  a  major  in  the  British  service,  was 
appointed  adjutant  general. 


238  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  iv.  bridge,    which  was  the  head  quarters  of  the 
1775.    American  army. 

As  all  orders  of  men  concurred  in  approving 
his  appointment,  all  concurred  in  expressing 
the  satisfaction  that  event  had  given  them,  and 
their  determination  to  afford  him  the  most 
entire  support.  Yet  the  address  from  the 
provincial  congress  of  New  York,  seemed  to 
disclose  some  jealousy,  even  at  that  time, 
entertained  of  the  danger*  to  which  liberty  was 
exposed  from  a  military  force,  and  the  very 
expression  of  their  confidence  that  he  would 
return,  when  peace  should  be  restored,  to  the 
walks  of  private  life,  betrayed  their  fears,  that 
so  much  power  once  acquired  might  not  readily 
be  parted  with. 

Massachusetts  manifested  more  than  usual 

solicitude  to  demonstrate  the  respect  entertained 

for  their  general.     A  committee  of  the  congress 

Arrives  at    of   that   province   waited   to   receive   him   at 

Cambridge. 

Springfield,  on  the  confines  of  the  colony, 
about  one  hundred  miles  from  Boston,  and  to 
escort  him  to  the  army.  Immediately  after 


lfter  expressing  their  joy  at  his  afijiointment,  the  address 
proceeds  to  say, 

"  We  have  the  fullest  assurances  that  whenever  this 
important  contest  shal^be  decided  by  that  fondest  wish  of 
every  American  soul. ...an  accommodation  with  our  mother 
country,  you  will  cheerfully  resign  the  important  deposit 
committed  into  your  hands,  and  reassume  the  character 
of  our  worthiest  citizen." 


uspos 
he  two 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  239 

his  arrival,  an  address  was  presented  to  him  CHAP,  iv. 
from  the  representatives,  breathing  for  him  the    \7T5. 
most  cordial  affection,   and   testifying  for  him. 
the  most  exalted  respect.     His  answer*  was 
well    calculated    to    keep   up   the   favourable 
impressions  which  had  been  made,  the  preser- 
vation of  which  was  so  essential  to  the  success 
of  that  very  arduous  contest  into  which    the 
united  colonies  had  now  entered. 

The  first  moments  after  his  arrival  in  camp     J"1? 3- 
were  employed  by  the  commander  in  chief  in 
reconnoitring  the  enemy,   and  examining  the 
strength  and  situation  of  the  American  troops. 

The  main  body  of  the  British  army  under  strength  and 

disposition 

the  immediate  command  of  general  Howe,  was  ^* 
intrenching  itself  strongly   on  Bunker's   hill, 
about  a  mile  from  Charlestown,  and  about  half  a 

*    The  answer  given  by  general  Washington  to  this  warm 
and  flattering  address,  commenced  in  the  following  terms: 

"  Gentlemen, 

"  Your  kind  congratulations  on  my  appointment  and 
amval,  demand  my  warmest  acknowledgments,  and  will 
be  ever  retained  in  grateful  remembrance.  In  exchanging 
the  enjoyments  of  domestic  life  for  the  duties  of  my  pre- 
sent honourable,  but  arduous  situation,  I  only  emulate  the 
virtue  and  public  spirit  of  the  whole  province  of  Massa- 
chussetts,  which,  with  a  firmness  and  patriotism  without 
example,  has  sacrificed  all  the  comforts  of  social  and  po- 
litical life,  in  support  of  the  rights  of  mankind,  and  the 
welfare  of  our  common  country.  My  highest  ambition  is 
to  be  the  happy  instrument  of  vindicating  these  rights, 
and  to  see  this  devoted  province  again  restored  to  peace, 
liberty  and  safety.  GEO:  WASHINGTON." 


240  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  iv.  mile  in  advance  of  the  works  which  had  been 
1775.  thrown  up  by  the  Americans  on  Breed's  hill. 
Three  floating  batteries  lay  in  Mystic  river  near 
the  camp,  and  a  twenty  gun  ship  below  the  ferry, 
between  Boston  and  Charlestown.  There  was 
also  on  the  Boston  side  of  the  water,  on  Cop's 
or  Cope's  hill,  a  strong  battery  which  had  very 
much  annoyed  the  provincials  while  in  posses- 
sion of  Breed's  hill,  and  which  now  served  to 
cover  and  strengthen  the  post  held  by  the 
enemy  on  Bunker's  hill.  The  other  division  of 
the  British  army  was  deeply  intrenched,  and 
strongly  fortified  on  Roxbury  neck.  These 
two  divisions  secured  the  only  avenues  leading 
from  the  country  into  the  two  peninsulas  of 
Boston  and  Charlestown ;  and  with  the  facilities 
given  by  the  entire  command  of  the  waters, 
could  very  readily  communicate  with  and  sup- 
port each  other.  They  constituted  the  whole 
force  of  the  enemy,  except  the  light  horse, 
and  an  inconsiderable  body  of  infantry  stationed 
in  Boston. 

The  American  army  lay  on  both  sides  of 
Ch.ar.les  river.  Its  right  occupied  the  high 
grounds  about  Roxbury,  from  whence  it  ex- 
tended towards  Dorchester,  and  its  left  was 
covered  by  Mystic  or  Medford  river,  a  space 
of  at  least  twelve  miles. 

Intrenchments  were  thrown  up  on  Winter 
and  Prospect  hills,  something  more  than  a  mile 
from  that  division  of  the  enemy,  which  lay  on 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  241 

the  peninsula  of  Charlestown,  and  in  full  view  CHAP,  iv. 
of  it.  A  strong  intrenchment  was  also  thrown  1775. 
up  at  Sewal's  farm  ;  in  addition  to  which,  such 
intermediate  points  on  the  river  as  would  admit 
of  the  landing  of  troops,  were  occupied  and 
strengthened.  At  Roxbury,  where  general 
Thomas  commanded,  a  strong  work  had  been 
erected  on  the  hill  about  two  hundred  yards 
from  the  meeting  house,  which,  aided  by  the 
difficulties  of  the  ground,  was  relied  on  to 
secure  that  pass. 

The  troops  from  New  Hampshire  with  a 
regiment  from  Rhode  Island,  amounting  in 'the 
whole  to  somewhat  less  than  two  thousand 
men,  occupied  Winter  hill.  About  a  thousand 
men  commanded  by  general  Putnam,  being  a 
part  of  the  Connecticut  line,  were  on  Prospect 
hill.  The  residue  of  the  Connecticut  troops  and 
nine  regiments  from  Massachussetts,  making  in 
the  whole  between  four  and  five  thousand  men, 
were  stationed  at  Roxbury.  The  remaining 
troops  of  Rhode  Island  were  placed  at  Sewal's 
farm,  and  the  residue  of  the  forces  of  Massa- 
chussetts Bay  at  Cambridge,  except  about^even 
hundred  men  who  were  dispersed  along  the 
coast  in  several  small  towns,  to  prevent  the 
casual  depredations  of  the  enemy. 

Thus  the  American  lines  were  extended 
over  a  very  considerable  space,  nor  could  they 
be  contracted  without  opening  to  the  enemy  a 
communication  with  the  country.  The  com- 

VOL.    II.  I  1 


242  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  iv.  mander  in  chief  made  no  other  immediate 
1775.  change  in  the  disposition  of  the  troops,  than 
to  arrange  and  organize  them  more  distinctly. 
For  this  purpose  the  army  was  thrown  into 
three  grand  divisions.  That  part  of  it  which 
lay  about  Roxbury,  constituted  the  right  wing, 
which  was  now  commanded  by  major  general 
Ward :  those  troops  about  Mystic,  or  Med- 
ford  river,  formed  the  left ;  which  was  placed 
imder  the  command  of  major  general  Lee,  who 
was  himself  stationed  on  Prospect  hill.  The 
centre  division,  including  the  reserve,  was 
under  the  immediate  command  of  general 
Washington,  whose  head  quarters  were  at 
Cambridge. 

The  general  found  himself  at  the  head  of 
about  fourteen  thousand  five  hundred  men, 
with  which  he  had  to  defend  this  extensive 
camp,  and  to  continue  the  blockade  of  the 
enemy  on  the  land  side.  This  force  was  by 
no  means  so  considerable  as  the  common 
opinion  made  it,  and  a  variety  of  circumstances 
combined  to  render  it  still  less  efficient,  than 
from  its  numbers  alone  might  have  been  ex- 
pected. 

So  long  had  the  hope  of  avoiding  open  hos- 
tilities been  indulged,  that  the  time  for  making 
preparations  to  meet  them  had  passed  away 
unemployed,  and  the  neglect  could  not  be 
remedied.  No  adequate  supplies  of  military- 
stores  had  been  procured,  and  there  was, 


ammunition. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  243 

really,  but  a  very  inconsiderable  quantity  of  CHAP.  \v. 
them  in  the  country.  On  general  Washington's  1775. 
first  arrival  in  camp,  he  had  ordered  a  return  °/t^'ency 
of  the  ammunition  to  be  made,  and  the  report  ^ 
stated  three  hundred  and  three  barrels  of  powder 
to  be  in  the  stores.  A  few  days  after  this  return, 
on  directing  a  fresh  supply  to  the  troops,  the 
alarming  discovery  was  made,  that  there  were  in 
reality  on  hand,  only  nine  thousand  nine  hundred 
and  forty  pounds,  not  more  than  sufficient  to 
furnish  each  man  with  nine  cartridges.  This 
mistake  in  the  quantity  had  been  produced  by 
a  misapprehension  of  the  committee  of  supplies,. 
(for  the  magazines  were  nof  yet  in  the  possession 
of  military  officers)  who,  instead  of  returning 
the  actually  existing  quantity,  reported  the 
whole  which  had  been  originally  furnished  by 
the  province,  thereby  including  in  the  estimate 
what  had  been  already  expended.  The  utmost 
possible  exertions  were  necessary  to  relieve 
this  essential  want.  They  were  made  in  every 
direction.  All  the  colonial  governments  and 
committees,  as  veil  as  congress,  were  applied 
to,  and  entreated  to  send  every  pound  of  powder 
and  lead  which  could  be  spared.  "No  quantity 
however  small,"  they  were  assured,  "  was 
beneath  notice."  In  the  mean  time  every  saving 
was  practised,  and  every  effort  was  used  to 
bring  these  essential  articles  into  the  country. 
This  critical  state  of  things  continued  for  about 
a  fortnight,  when  the  danger  resulting  from  it 
li  2 


244  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  iv.  Was  in  some  degree  diminished  by  the  arrival 
1775.  of  a  small  supply  of  powder  sent  from  Elizabeth 
town  in  New  Jersey.  The  difficulties  to  be 
encountered  by  those  who  then  conducted  the 
affairs  of  America,  may  be,  in  some  degree, 
conjectured  from  a  circumstance  attending  this 
transaction.  All  essential  to  the  general  safety, 
as  it  apparently  was,  to  replenish  with  the 
utmost  possible  expedition  the  magazines  of 
that  army,  which  encamped  in  the  face  of  the 
enemy,  the  committee  of  Elizabeth  town  were 
under  the  necessity  of  transmitting  privately, 
and  under  other  pretexts,  this  necessary  aid, 
lest  the  people  of  the  neighbourhood  should 
seize  and  retain  it  for  their  own  security. 

The  utmost  address  was  used  to  conceal 
from  the  enemy  the  alarming  deficiency  which 
has  been  stated  ;  but  when  it  is  recollected 
in  how  many  various  directions,  and  to  what 
various  authorities  application  for  assistance 
was  unavoidably  made,  it  will  appear  scarcely 
possible  that  those  efforts  at  secrecy  could  have 
been  completely  successful.  It^-s  more  probable, 
that  the  communications  which  must  have  been 
made  to  the  British  general  were  not  credited ; 
and  that  he  could  not  persuade  himself  to 
believe,  that  a  body  of  troops,  circumstanced 
as  was  the  American  army  in  other  respects, 
would  be  hardy  enough  to  maintain  the  position 
they  occupied,  if  destitute  of  ammunition. 
He  knew  well,  that  the  want  of  powder  must  be 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  245 

rendered  still  more  fatal  to  them  by  other  wants  CHAP.IV. 
which  could  not  be  relieved.     That  of  bayonets 
was  peculiarly  distressing.     Their  deficiency 
in  this  article  was  very  considerable  and  was 
of  public  notoriety. 

The  people  of  New  England  were  incompa- 
rably better  armed  than  those  of  any  other  part 
of  the  continent ;  but  even  among  them  this 
important  weapon  was  very  far  from  being 
common,  and  the  government  had  not  yet  even 
attempted  to  lay  up  magazines  of  arms  to  be 
delivered  to  their  soldiers.  The  army  was  also 
in  such  need  of  tents,  as  to  be  unavoidably 
lodged  in  barracks,  instead  of  encamping  in 
the  open  field,  a  circumstance  extremely  unfa- 
vourable to  any  sudden  collection  of  its  force, 
and  not  less  unfavourable  to  health  and  disci- 
pline. 

As  the  troops  had  been  raised,  not  by  con- 
gress, but  by  the  colonial  governments,  each 
of  which  had  a  different  establishment,  no  uni- 
formity existed  among  the  regiments.  In 
Massachussetts,  the  men  had  chosen  their 
officers,  and  felt  no  inferiority  to  them.  Ani- 
mated with  the  spirit  of  liberty,  and  collected 
for  its  defence,  they  were  not  immediately  sen- 
sible of  the  importance  of  discipline,  nor  could 
they,  in  an  instant,  be  subjected  to  its  rules. 
The  army  was  consequently  found  in  a  state 
of  almost  entire  disorganization,  and  the  diffi- 
culty of  establishing  the  necessary  principles 


246  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  iv.  of  order  and  subordination,  always  considerable 
1775.  among  raw  troops,  was  greatly  increased  by 
the  short  terms  for  which  enlistments  had  been 
made.  The  time  of  service  of  many,  was  to 
expire  in  November,  and  none  were  engaged 
to  continue  longer  than  the  last  of  December. 
The  early  orders  issued  by  the  general,  evidence 
a  loose  and  unmilitary  state  of  things,  even  sur- 
passing what  might  reasonably  be  inferred 
from  the  circumstances  under  which  the  war 
was  commenced. 

An  additional  inconvenience,  derived  from 
the  manner  in  which  the  army  had  been 
brought  together,  and  the  mingling  of  congres- 
sional and  colonial  authorities,  was  thus  stated 
by  general  Washington  in  a  letter  addressed  to 
congress.  "  I  should  be  extremely  deficient 
in  gratitude  as  well  as  justice,  if  I  did  not  take 
the  first  opportunity,  to  acknowledge  the  readi- 
ness and  attention  which  the  congress  and 
different  committees  have  shown  to  make  every 
thing  as  convenient  and  agreeable  as  possible : 
but  there  is  a  vital  and  inherent  principle  of 
delay,  incompatible  with  military  service,  in 
transacting  business  through  such  various  and 
different  channels.*  I  esteem  it  my  duty, 


*  The  general  was  under  the  necessity  of  carrying  on 
a  direct  correspondence,  not  only  with  the  several  colonial 
governments,  but  with  the  committees  of  all  the  import- 
ant towns,  and  some  inferior  places. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  247 

therefore,  to  represent  the  inconvenience  that  CHAP,  iv. 
must  unavoidably  ensue,   from  a  dependence     1775. 
on  a  number  of  persons  for  supplies,  and  sub- 
mit it  to  the  consideration  of  congress  whether 
the  public  service  will  not  be  best  promoted  by 
appointing  a  commissary  general  for  the  pur- 
pose. "* 

To  the  many  other  wants  of  the  army  was 
added  that  of  clothes,  a  supply  of  which  had 
been  rendered  much  more  difficult  than  it  would 
otherwise  have  been  by  the  non- importation 
agreement  which  had  preceded  the  commence- 
ment of  hostilities. 

Their  operations  were  greatly  affected  too, 
by  the  total  want  of  engineers,  in  addition  to 
which,  they  were  very  insufficiently  furnished 
with  working  tools. 

To  increase  the  derangements,  already  so  con- 
siderable, the  appointment  of  general  officers 
made  by  congress,  gave  extensive  dissatisfac- 
tion, and  determined  several  of  those  who 
thought  themselves  injured,  to  retire  from  the 
service. 

These  disadvantages  deducted  essentially 
from  the  efficiency  of  the  American  force ;  but 
under  them  all,  the  general  observed  with 
pleasure,  "the  materials  for  a  good  army." 
There  were  "  a  great  number  of  men,  able 


*  Is  it  not  strange  that  an  army  should  have  been  formed 
without  such  an  officer? 


248  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. iv.  bodied,  active,  zealous  in  the  cause,  and  of 
1775.  unquestionable  courage."  Possessed  of  these 
materials  he  employed  himself  incessantly  and 
indefatigably  in  so  organizing  as  to  render  them 
serviceable.  The  army  was  arranged  into 
divisions  and  brigades;  even  this  regulation 
had  not  yet  been  made ;  and  congress  was  urged 
to  the  appointment  of  a  paymaster,  quarter- 
master-general, and  such  other  general  staff,  as 
are  indispensable  in  the  structure  of  a  regular 
military  establishment,  but  had  yet  been 
omitted. 

About  this  time  general  Gage  received  a 
small  re-enforcement  from  New  York,  after 
which  his  whole  number,  including  the  Amer- 
ican loyalists,  was  computed  at  something  less 
than  eight  thousand  men. 

The  facility  with  which  this  force  could  be 
drawn  together,  so  as  to  act  against  any  one 
point  of  the  very  extended  lines  occupied  by 
the  Americans,  probably  rendered  it  competent 
to  an  attack  on  them.  But  it  is  also  probable 
that  the  enemy  were  entirely  deceived  with 
respect  to  the  number  and  condition  of  the 
provincial  troops:  and  the  severe  reception 
given  them  at  Breed's  hill,  had  inspired  some 
respect  for  the  courage  of  their  opponents,  and 
a, consequent  degree  of  caution  in  attacking 
their  lines. 

General  Washington  was  sensible  of  the  diffi- 
culties of  his  situation,  and  on  first  joining  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  249 

army,  called  a  council  of  war  to  deliberate  on  CHAP.IV. 
it.  In  this  council  it  was  unanimously  deter-  1775. 
mined  to  maintain  their  present  position.  The 
effect  which  a  change  of  it  would  have  had  on 
both  armies,  and  on  public  opinion;  the  des- 
truction of  a  considerable  and  valuable  extent 
of  country,  which,  by  removing,  would  have 
been  exposed  to  the  enemy;  and  the  difficulty 
of  finding  a  stronger  position,  were  the  motives 
for  this  determination.  But  it  was  resolved  in 
the  same  council,  not  to  take  possession  of 
Dorchester  point,  nor  to  oppose  any  attempt 
of  the  enemy  to  occupy  that  ground.  It  was, 
however,  thought  essential,  in  order  to  avoid 
the  absolute  dissolution  of  the  present  undisci- 
plined army,  in  the  event  of  their  being  forced 
from  their  lines  by  the  enemy,  to  appoint  a 
place  of  general  rendezvous ;  and  the  Welsh 
mountains  near  Cambridge,  and  the  rear  of  the 
lines  at  Roxbury  were  fixed  on.  In  the  mean 
time,  great  vigilance  was  used  in  watching  the 
enemy.  All  the  whale  boats,  for  several  miles 
along  the  coast,  were  collected,  and  employed 
in  keeping  a  look-out  by  night  on  the  water; 
and  express  horses  were  kept  in  perpetual 
readiness  at  the  different  stations,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  communicating  the  most  prompt  intel- 
ligence of  any  movement  which  might  be 
discovered. 

The  two  armies  continued  to  work  on  their 
fortifications  without  seriously  molesting  each 

VOL.   II.  K  k 


250  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  iv.  other.  Slight  skirmishes  occasionally  happened, 

1775.    in  which  very. little  execution  was  done;  and 

although  the  Americans  made  some  advances 

towards  the  enemy,  no  attempt  was  made  to 

dislodge  them. 

This  state  of  apparent  inactivity  was  ill  suited 
to  the  enterprising  temper  of  the  commander 
in  chief,  and  was  very  reluctantly  submitted  to. 
The  situation  of  America  appeared  to  him  to 
require  great  efforts  to  destroy  totally  the  army 
now  in  Boston,  before  it  should  be  strength- 
ened by  the  re-enforcements  which  might  be 
expected  in  the  ensuing  spring.  Such  an  event 
he  persuaded  himself  would  decide  the  contest. 
It  would  give  to  the  British  nation  and  minister, 
such  evidence  of  the  vigour  and  determination 
of  the  colonies,  as  would  induce  them  to  desist 
from  the  further  prosecution  of  the  war;  while 
it  \vould  encourage  and  unite  all  America  in  the 
common  cause.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  this 
measure  should  not  be  adopted,  the  affairs  of 
the  united  colonies  appeared  to  him  to  wear  a 
very  serious  aspect.  A  very  powerful  armament 
would  certainly  arrive  in  the  spring,  and  the 
duration  of  the  war  could  not  be  calculated. 
He  perceived  with  pain  the  immense  expenses 
unavoidably  incurred,  the  amount  of  which 
could  not  be  diminished;  and  seeing  no  solid 
revenues  to  support  them,  he  was  extremely 
apprehensive  that  the  finances  of  his  country 
must  sink  under  such  a  burden.  He  reflected 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  251 

too,  that  his  present  army  must  soon  dissolve,  CHAP.IH. 
and  he  could  not  look  with  unconcern  at  the     1775. 
very  critical  situation  in  which  that  event  would 
place  him. 

Under  these  impressions,  he  thought  much 
ought  to  be  risked,  to  obtain  so  desirable  an 
object  as  the  destruction  of  the  army  now  in 
Boston;  and  with  this  view,  he  frequently  re- 
connoitred the  situation  of  the  enemy,  and  was 
assiduous  in  collecting  every  information  res- 
pecting their  strength.  The  result  of  his  obser- 
vations and  inquiries  seems  to  have  been,  a 
strong  inclination  to  the  opinion,  that  to  carry  September. 
the  works  of  the  enemy  by  storm,  though  very 
hazardous,  was  not  absolutely  impracticable. 
He  therefore  determined  to  call  the  attention  of 
his  general  officers  to  this  subject,  and  having 
previously  communicated  to  them  in  a  letter,  the 
points  he  wished  them  to  consider,  they  were 
assembled  in  council  for  the  purpose  of  deciding 
on  the  meditated  attack.  They  were  unani- 
mously of  opinion  that,  "for  the  present  at 
least,  the  attempt  ought  not  to  be  made.'' 
This  resolution  having  been  formed,  the  origi- 
nal plan  of  keeping  up  the  blockade,  and 
strengthening  the  camp,  was  persevered  in. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  distress  of  the  British 
army,  for  fresh  meat  and  vegetables,  became 
very  considerable.  They  could  not  receive 
these  articles  in  the  ordinary  mode,  from  the 
country ;  and  they  could  not  spare  such  a  nura- 

Kk  2 

• 


252  THE  L1FE  OF 

CHAIMV.  her  of  troops  for  distant  excursions,  as  might 
1775.  safely  penetrate  far  enough  to  obtain  adequate 
supplies.  Some  small  parties  sailed  from 
Boston,  probably  with  this  object;  but  they 
met,  wherever  they  appeared,  with  such  oppo- 
sition from  the  militia  and  minute  men,  as  to  be 
obliged  to  return  to  their  ships,  frequently 
without  having  obtained  such  ample  supplies 
as  their  situation  required.  To  guard  against 
these  plundering  parties,  required  a  degree  of 
exertion  and  activity,  on  the  part  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  seacoast,  which  they  soon  found 
extremely  harassing;  and  the  governors  of  the 
different  colonies  were  urgent,  that  detachments 
from  the  main  army  should  be  ordered  to  pro- 
tect them  from  these  predatory  incursions. 
Although  it  was  impossible  to  spare  the  troops 
demanded;  yet  the  refusal  to  comply  with  these 
requests  occasioned  no  inconsiderable  degree 
of  irritation.  So  difficult  is  it  for  those  who 
view  only  a  part  of  a  system,  to  judge  rightly 
of  the  whole ;  and  so  certain  is  it  that  the  great 
plans  formed  for  the  general  safety  must  be 
deranged,  if  partial  interferences  be  permitted. 
These  demands  of  particular  protection  were  so 
importunate,  and  the  unavoidable  refusal  to 
comply  with  them  was  so  ill  received,  that  it 
was  deemed  necessary  by  congress,  to  pass  a 
resolution,  declaring  that  the  army  before 
Boston  was  designed  only  to  oppose  the  enemy 
at  that  place,  and  ought  not  to  be  weakened  by 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  253 

detachments  for  the  security  of  other  parts  of  CHAP.IV. 
the  country.  At  Newport,  in  Rhode  Island,  irrs. 
the  committee  sought  to  secure  the  town  by 
entering  into  a  compromise  with  captain  Wal- 
lace, who  commanded  the  ships  of  war  on  that 
station,  in  which  it  was  stipulated  that  he 
should  be  furnished  with  provisions,  on  condi- 
tion of  his  sparing  the  town,  and  committing 
no  depreciations  on  the  country.  This  com- 
promise while  it  secured  those  who  had  entered 
into  it,  interfered  with  the  general  plan  of  dis- 
tressing the  enemy,  by  withholding  from  them 
all  supplies  of  provisions,  and  set  an  example 
which  it  was  feared  would  be  followed  to  a  most 
pernicious  extent. 

Although,  afterwards,  the  assembly  of  Rhode 
Island,  in  imitation  of  the  other  colonies, 
passed  an  act  for  inflicting  capital  punishment 
on  those  who  should  be  convicted  of  holding 
any  traitorous  correspondence  with  the  minis- 
try of  Great  Britain,  or  any  of  their  agents;  or 
of  supplying  the  ministerial  army,  or  navy, 
with  provisions  or  other  necessaries ;  yet  they 
excepted  from  the  operation  of  this  act,  those 
who  should  furnish  supplies  of  provisions  to 
captain  Wallace,  under  his  agreement  with  the 
town  council  of  Newport.  General  Washington 
at  length  deemed  it  necessary  to  interfere,  and 
to  represent  in  a  letter  addressed  to  the  governor 
of  that  province,  the  mischief  to  be  apprehended 
from  so  dangerous  a  practice. 


254  THE  LIFE  OF 

While  the  blockade  of  Boston  was  thus 
perseveringly  maintained,  and  every  effort  used 
to  distress  the  enemy  in  that  place ;  the  trans- 
actions on  other  parts  of  the  continent  were 
calculated  to  attract  the  utmost  attention. 

In  July,  Georgia  had  entered  into  the  oppo- 
sition made  to  the  claims  of  the  British  parlia- 
ment to  tax  America,  and  had  chosen  delegates 
to  represent  that  province  in  congress;  after 
which  the  style  of  '  the  Thirteen  United  Colo- 
nies' was  assumed,  and  by  that  title  the  English 
provinces  confederated,  and  in  arms,  were 
thenceforward  designated. 

September  5  After  a  very  short  recess  of  one  month,  con- 
gress again  assembled  at  Philadelphia.  They 
immediately  took  under  their  consideration  the 
state  of  the  colonies,  and  the  letters  of  the  com- 
mander in  chief.  The  scarcity  of  arms  and 
ammunition  continued  to  be  an  alarming  diffi- 
culty, which  cramped  all  their  military  move- 
ments, and  which  their  utmost  efforts  had  been 
unable  to  remove.  They  not  only  applied  large 
sums  towards  obtaining  these  articles  on  con- 
tinental account,  but  recommended  it  to  the 
state  conventions,  to  use  all  the  means  in  their 
power  to  effect  the  same  object.  These  exer- 
tions were  not  entirely  unsuccessful.  They 
had  the  address  to  purchase  all  the  powder  on 
the  coast  of  Africa,  even  within  the  British 
forts,  without  attracting  notice  ;  and  they  seized 
the  magazine  in  the  island  of  Bermudas,  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  255 

inhabitants  of  which  were  well  disposed  to  CHAP. iv. 
favour  the  attempt,  and  were  restrained  only  1775. 
'by  their  inability 'to  act  efficiently,  and  by  the 
insecurity  of  their  situation,  from  making  one 
common  cause  with  the  continental  colonies. 
They  also  made  great  exertions  towards  the 
internal  manufacture  of  gunpowder,  and  the 
obtaining  within  themselves,  saltpetre  and 
sulphur,  the  principal  materials  in  the  compo- 
sition of  that  all  important  article.  All  these 
measures,  however,  could  not  afford  adequate 
supplies,  and  the  danger  resulting  from  the 
want  of  an  article  so  vitally  essential  in  war,  stili 
continued  to  be  very  great. 

The  importance  of  a  maritime  force  to  the 
military  operations  of  a  country  possessing  an 
immense  extent  of  seacoast,  must  always  be 
felt  very  sensibly ;  and  the  particular  attention 
of  the  United  Colonies  was,  in  a  very  early 
period  of  the  contest,  directed  more  imme- 
diately to  this  interesting  object,  by  an  event 
not  very  unusual  in  the  period  of  hostilities, 
but  which,  at  the  time,  excited  no  small  degree 
of  resentment. 

Orders  had  been  issued  in  his  majesty's 
name  to  the  commanders  of  his  ships  of  war,, 
to  proceed,  as  in  the  case  of  actual  rebellion, 
against  those  seaport  towns  and  places  which 
were  accessible  to  the  king's  ships,  and  in 
which  any  troops  should  be  raised  or  military 
works  erected. 


256  THE  L*FE  OF 

CHAP,  iv.  The  town  of  Falmouth,  a  flourishing  Village  ' 
1775.  on  the  seacoast  of  Massachusetts,  having  given 
some  particular  offence,  its  destruction  was* 
determined  on;  and,  under  colour  of  these 
orders,  a  small  naval  force  commanded  by  cap- 
tain Mowat,  was  detached  for  that  purpose. 
On  his  arrival,  about  three  o'clock  in  the 
october.  evening  of  the  17th,  he  gave  notice  that  he  was 
directed  to  burn  every  seaport  town  between 
Boston  and  Halifax;  and  that,  as  a  favour  to 
Falmouth,  he  had  obtained  permission  to  sus- 
pend the  execution  of  his  orders  until  the  next 
morning,  provided  they  would  send  him  eight 
of  their  small  arms.  This  proposition  wras 
acceded  to,  and  the  next  day  the  committee  of 
the  place  waited  on  him  to  endeavour  to  save 
their  town.  He  offered  to  wait  for  further 
orders  from  his  admiral,  provided  they  would 
deliver  up  all  their  arms  of  every  sort,  with  all 
their  ammunition,  and  four  of  their  citizens  as 
hostages. 

raimoath  This  extraordinary  demand  not  being  com- 
plied with,  a  furious  cannonade  and  bombard- 
ment was  commenced,  by  which  the  town  was 
reduced  to  ashes.  An  attempt  was  then  made 
to  penetrate  into  the  country,  but  the  militia 
and  minute  men,  rather  irritated  than  intimi- 
dated by  this  wanton  act  of  unavailing  devas- 
tation, drove  the  party  which  had  landed  back 
to  their  ships,  with  loss. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  257 

This  measure  was  very  strongly  reprobated  CHAP,  iv. 
throughout  America,  and  was  a  mean  of  stimu-  1775. 
lating  the  attention  of  the  United  Colonies  to 
their  marine,  and  hastening  their  preparations 
for  retaliating  injuries  sustained  at  sea,  as  far 
as  might  be  in  their  power.  It  was  one  imme- 
diate motive  with  the  convention  of  Massa- 
chussetts,  for  granting  letters  of  marque  and 
reprisal,  and  was  assigned  by  congress,  in 
addition  to  the  capture  of  American  merchant- 
men on  the  high  seas,  as  an  inducement  for 
fitting  out  some  ships  of  war,  to  man  which 
they  directed  two  battalions  of  marines  to  be 
recruited,  and  articles  of  war  were  framed  for 
the  government  of  their  little  navy. 

Though  general  letters  of  reprisal  were  not 
immediately  granted  by  congress  to  their  con- 
tinental cruisers,  a  measure  of  equal  efficacy, 
but  less  hostile  in  appearance,  was  adopted. 
Their  ships  of  war  were  authorized  to  capture 
all  vessels  employed  in  giving  assistance  to  the 
enemy  in  any  manner  whatever,  and  no  capture 
could  be  made  which  might  not  be  construed 
to  come  within  the  terms  used  in  their  resolu- 
tion. At  the  repeated  and  pressing  instances 
of  the  commander  in  chief,  they  also  established 
courts  to  take  cognizance  of  prizes,  and  adopted 
for  their  government  the  general  principles  of 
national  law.  A  few  small  cruisers  had  been 
already  fitted  out  under  the  authority  and  by  the 
directions  of  general  Washington,  and  the 

VOL.    II.  L  I 


258  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  iv.  coasts  soon  swarmed  with  the  privateers  of 
1775.    New  England.     These  naval  exertions  were 
successor    attended  with  the  most  valuable  consequences. 

the  American  A 

cruisers.  ]y[any  captures  were  made,  and  very  important 
supplies  of  ammunition,  without  which  it  would 
have  been  scarcely  possible  to  have  maintained 
the  blockade  of  Boston,  were  thus  obtained. 
The  cruisers  of  Massachusetts  were  particu- 
larly successful ;  and  the  enemy,  wrho  seem  to 
have  been  under  no  apprehensions  of  an  attack 
on  what  was  deemed  their  peculiar  element, 
smarted  very  severely  under  these  first  essays 
of  the  colonists  in  maritime  war. 

Captain  Manly,  of  the  Lee  privateer,  was 
remarkably  active  and  fortunate.  He  made 
many  very  valuable  captures  of  vessels  laden 
with  military  stores,  the  most  important  and 
acceptable  of  which  was  a  large  ordnance  ship, 
having  on  board  a  very  considerable  cargo  of 
arms  and  ammunition,  with  a  complete  assort- 
ment of  such  working  tools,  utensils,  and  ma- 
chines  as  were  most  needed  in  the  American 
camp. 

In  addition  to  those  prizes  which  contributed 
to  relieve  the  most  urgent  wants  of  the  provin- 
cial army,  several  were  made  which  very  much 
increased  the  distress  of  the  British  troops. 
The  extreme  difficulty  and  uncertainty  of  ob- 
Distressof    taining  adequate  supplies  of  fresh  provisions, 
from  the"     vegetables,  and  fuel,  in  America,  had  deter- 

•wunt  of  fresh 

mineci  the  English  government  to  furnish  their 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  259 

army  in  Boston  with  those  necessary  articles  CHAP.IV. 
from  Europe.  After  they  had  been  purchased  1775. 
and  shipped  at  a  very  enormous  price,  the 
vessels  containing  them  were  so  long  tossed 
about  by  contrary  winds,  that  a  great  propor- 
tion of  the  live  stock  perished,  most  of  the 
vegetables  were  destroyed  by  fermentation, 
and  when  the  scattered  fleet,  laden  with  what 
remained  of  this  cargo,  reached  the  American 
coast,  very  many  of  the  ships  were  taken  by 
the  continental  and  provincial  cruisers.  The 
miscarriages  of  supplies,  which  were  so  much 
needed  in  Boston,  essentially  affected  the  army 
in  that  place.0 

The  distress  produced  in  the  West  Indies  by 
the  unexpected  prohibition  to  export  provi- 
sions from  the  United  Colonies,  occasioned  an 
application  from  the  island  of  Bermudas,  repre- 
senting their  favourable  dispositions  towards 
the  American  cause,  and  their  present  suffer- 
ings, in  consequence  of  the  entire  cessation  of 
all  intercourse  between  them.  On  considering 
this  memorial,  it  was  determined  that  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  provisions  for  the  support  of 
that  island,  might  be  exported  to  it,  to  be  paid 
ipr,  not  only  in  arms,  ammunition,  saltpetre, 
or  sulphur,  but  likewise  in  salt,  an  article 
abounding  in  Bermudas,  and  the  want  of  which 
began  to  be  very  severely  felt  in  North 

0  Belsham. 
Ll    2 


260  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  iv.  America.  The  quantity  of  provisions  to  be 
1775.  exported  was  apportioned  among  the  middle 
and  southern  states  including  New  York  ;  and 
the  respective  conventions  or  committees  of 
safety  were  requested  to  license  and  superin- 
tend the  loading  of  vessels  engaged  in  this 
commerce. 

Although  the  British  army  had  as  yet  mani- 
fested no  intention  to  evacuate  Boston,  fears 
were  continually  entertained  concerning  the 
colony  of  New  York.  Mr.  Tryon,  who  was 
very  popular  in  that  province,  and  who  had 
been  some  time  before  removed  from  it  to  the 
government  of  North  Carolina,  had  been  lately 
recalled  and  appointed  governor  of  New  York, 
where  his  utmost  influence  and  address  were 
employed  in  detaching  the  colony  from  the 
union.  His  exertions  were  seconded*  by  the 
Asia  man  of  war,  whose  guns  commanded  the 
town,  and  excited  the  fears  of  the  citizens  for 
the  safety  of  their  persons  and  property.  The 
consequence  of  these  intrigues  and  of  this  ter- 
ror was,  that  even  in  the  convention,  disaffec- 
tion to  the  American  cause  began  openly  to 


*  Governor  Tryon  derived,  too,  no  inconsiderable  de- 
gree of  aid  from  the  press  of  mr.  Rivington,  which  was 
now  devoted  to  the  royal  cause.  Its  influence  was  be- 
lieved to  be  so  pernicious,  that  captain  Sears  at  the  head 
of  a  body  of  horsemen  from  Connecticut,  armed  with 
muskets,  entered  the  town,  broke  up  his  press,  and  car- 
ried off  his  types. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  261 

show  itself,  and  the  avowal  of  a  determination  CHAP,  iv. 
to  join  the  king's  standard,  is  said  to  have  been  1775. 
made  with  impunity.  Justly  alarmed  at  these 
threatening  appearances,  which  were  rendered 
the  more  serious  by  some  confidential  commu- 
nications from  England,  stating  the  intention 
of  the  administration  to  be,  to  possess  them- 
selves immediately  of  the  Hudson,  and  to  oc- 
cupy both  New  York  and  Albany,  an  effort 
was  made  in  congress  to  obtain  a  resolution  for 
removing  what  was  believed  to  be  the  primary 
cause,  by  seizing  the  governor.  He  had,  how- 
ever, been  artful  enough  so  to  conduct  himself, 
as  to  make  impressions  in  his  favour  on  several 
of  the  popular  leaders,  and  he  was  defended  by 
a  part  of  the  delegation  from  New  York,  with 
so  much  earnestness,  that  the  advocates  of 
the  proposition  forbore  for  a  time  to  press  it. 

When,  afterwards,  the  increasing  defection 
in  that  province  induced  them  to  resume  the 
subject,  the  resolution  was  expressed  in  gene- 
ral terms,  and  assumed  the  form  of  a  recom- 
mendation to  those  who  exercised  the  legisla- 
tive and  executive  authorities  in  the  several 
provinces,  "  to  arrest  and  secure  eve<ry  person 
in  the  respective  colonies,  whose  going  at  large 
might,  in  their  opinion,  endanger  the  safety  of 
the  colony,  or  the  liberties  of  America." 

Intelligence  of  this  resolution  is  supposed  to 
have  been  received  by  the  governor,  who, 
after  some  correspondence  with  the  mayor  of 


262  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  iv.  the  city  respecting  his  personal  safety,  retired 

1775.    for  security  on  board  the  Halifax  packet;  from 

whence  he  continued  to  carry  on  his  intrigues 

with  nearly  as  much    advantage   as  while  on 

shore. 

This  temper  manifested  by  New  York, 
excited  serious  fears  respecting  the  highlands 
on  the  Hudson,  a  post  of  so  much  importance 
as  to  have  engaged  the  attention  of  the  conven- 
tion, who  applied  to  congress  on  that  subject, 
and  transmitted  a  plan  of  the  works  proposed 
to  be  there  erected  for  the  defence  of  the  river. 
Congress  warmly  recommended  a  prosecution 
of  this  plan,  and  determined  on  establishing  a 
continental  post  in  the  highlands,  for  the  gar- 
risoning of  which  measures  were  immediately 
taken.  Two  regiments  were  directed  to  be 
raised  by  New  Jersey  on  continental  establish- 
ment, to  serve  for  one  year,  and  a  detachment 
from  these  troops  was  ordered  to  the  Hudson. 
Those  not  ordered  to  the  highlands,  were 
directed  to  approach  New  York,  probably,  for 
the  purpose  of  giving  confidence  to  their  friends 
in  that  place. 

But  the  subject  which,  next  to  the  supply 
of  arms  and  ammunition,  most  interested  the 
American  government,  was  the  re-inlistment 
of  the  army  before  Boston. 

The  early  attention  of  congress  to  this  essen- 
tial object  had  been  most  earnestly  solicited  by 
general  Washington,  and,  on  the  29th  of 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  26S 

September,  a  committee  had  been  appointed  CHAP,  iv. 
with  directions  to  repair  to  the  camp  at  Cam-  1775. 
bridge,  there  to  consult  with  the  commander 
in  chief,  and  with  the  chief  magistrates  of  New 
Hampshire,  Connecticut,  and  Rhode  Island, 
and  the  council  of  Massachussetts,  "  on  the 
most  effectual  method  of  continuing,  support- 
ing, and  regulating  a  continental  army."  On 
the  return  of  this  committee,  it  was  determined, 
that  the  new  army  intended  to  lie  before  Boston 
should  consist  of  twenty  thousand,  three  hun- 
dred and  seventy-two  men,  including  officers, 
to  be  raised  as  far  as  practicable  from  the  troops 
already  in  service  at  that  place.  Unfortunately, 
in  constituting  this  first  military  establishment 
of  the  union,  an  essential,  possibly  an  inevi- 
table error  was  committed,  the  consequences 
of  which  were  ever  afterwards  very  severely 
felt.  The  inlistments  instead  of  being  for  the 
war,  were  only  for  the  term  of  one  year,  if 
not  sooner  discharged  by  congress.  It  is  not 
easy  entirely  to  account  for  this  fatal  error. 
Some  jealousy  of  a  permanent  army  was,  pro- 
bably, intermingled  with  the  hope,  that  the 
war  would  not  be  of  long  duration,  and  with 
the  fear,  that  much  difficulty  would  be  experi- 
enced in  prevailing  on  men  to  enter  into 
engagements  of  unlimited  extent.  Perhaps  the 
habits  of  the  northern  colonies,  where  it  had 
been  usual  to  raise  men  for  a  single  campaign, 
may  have  contributed  to  this  measure.  And 


264  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP  Iv-  it  very  probably  might  have  been  supposed, 
1775.  that  as  hostilities  progressed^  the  public  re- 
sentments would  increase,  the  people  would  be 
more  united,  and  the  ranks  would  be  filled  with 
more  facility.  Whatever  motives  led  to  its 
adoption,  its  consequences  were  of  the  most 
serious  nature ;  and  no  one  part  of  the  Ameri- 
can system  brought  their  ultimate  success  into 
such  real  hazard. 

Accompanying  the  resolution  for  raising  and 
establishing  the  new  army,  were  others,  some 
of  which  serve  to  exhibit  the  perilous  condition 
of  the  country,  and  how  unprepared  it  was  for 
the  arduous  conflict  it  was  engaged  in. 

The  soldiers  had  brought  with  them  into 
service  their  own  arms,  a  practice  at  all  times 
inconvenient,  as  they  will  be  of  different 
caliber ;  yet  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  retain  at 
a  valuation,  for  the  new  army,  those  belonging 
to  men  who  would  not  re-inlist.  The  govern- 
ment being  entirely  unprovided  with  blankets, 
two  dollars  were  offered  to  every  person  who 
would  bring  with  him  an  article  so  necessary 
in  a  winter  campaign  ;  and  as  no  regimentals 
had  been  procured  for  the  troops,  various 
coloured  clothes  were  purchased  up,  to  be  deli- 
vered to  them,  and  the  price  deducted  from 
their  pay.  But  no  regulation  was  more  extra- 
ordinary, or  evidenced  more  strongly  the  public 
necessity,  than  that  which  required  the  soldiers 
to  find  their  own  arms,  or  to  pay  six  shillings 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  265 

for  the  use  of  arms  furnished  by  the  continent  CHAP,  iv. 
for  the  campaign.  1775. 

As  soon  as  the  arrangements  had  been  made 
by  the  committee,  and  before  they  had  been 
confirmed  by  the  approbation  of  congress,  gene- 
ral Washington  proceeded  to  take  the  prepara- 
tory steps  towards  carrying  them  into  operation. 
In  his  general  orders  he  required,  that  all 
officers  who  intended  to  decline  the  further  October  22 
service  of  their  country,  and  to  retire  from 
the  army  at  the  expiration  of  the  terms  for 
which  they  were  at  present  engaged,  should 
signify  their  intentions  in  writing  to  their 
respective  colonels,  to  be  communicated  to 
the  general  by  the  officers  commanding  bri- 
gades. "  Those  brave  men  and  true  patriots, 
who  resolved  to  continue  to  serve,  and  defend 
their  brethren,  privileges  and  property,"  were 
also  requested  to  signify  their  intentions  in  the 
same  manner,  and  to  consider  themselves  en- 
gaged to  the  last  day  of  December  1776,  unless 
sooner  discharged  by  congress. 

But  the  hic;h  spirit,  and  enthusiastic  ardour,  Difficulty  of 

7  re-inlisting 

which  had  brought  such  numbers  into  the  field  ^  army- 
after  the  battle  of  Lexington,  was  already 
beginning  to  dissipate,  and  all  the  alacrity  for 
the  service  which  had  been  expected,  was  not 
displayed.  Many  were  unwilling  to  continue 
in  it,  and  others  annexed  special  conditions  to 
their  further  engagement.  Very  many  insisted 
on  stipulating  for  leave  to  visit  their  families 

VOL.    II.  M1H 


265  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  iv.  at  the  expiration  of  their  present  term  of  ser- 
1775.    vice,    and    others,    suspending    all    decision, 
neither  gave  in  their  names  to  retire  from  the 
army,  nor  to  continue  in  it. 

October  26.  The  nature  of  the  case  not  admitting  delay, 
the  general  repeated  his  orders,  with  the  addi- 
tion that  the  declaration  must  be  explicit,  and 
not  conditional.  "  The  times,"  he  added, 
"  and  the  importance  of  the  great  cause  we  are 
engaged  in,  allow  no  room  for  hesitation  and 
delay.  When  life,  liberty,  and  property,  are 
at  stake  ;  when  our  country  is  in  danger  of 
being  a  melancholy  scene  of  bloodshed,  and 
desolation  ;  when  our  towns  are  laid  in  ashes, 
innocent  women  and  children  driven  from  their 
peaceful  habitations, .  exposed  to  the  rigours  of 
an  inclement  season,  to  depend,  perhaps,  on 
the  hand  of  charity  for  support;  when  calami- 
ties like  these  are  staring  us  in  the  face,  and  a 
brutal  savage  enemy  (more  so  than  was  ever 
yet  found  in  a  civilized  nation)  are  threatening 
us,  and  every  thing  we  hold  dear,  with  des- 
truction from  foreign  troops  ;  it  little  becomes 
the  character  of  a  soldier,  to  shrink  from  danger, 
and  condition  for  new  terms.  It  is  the  general's 
intention  to  indulge  both  officers  and  soldiers 
who  compose  the  new  army,  with  furloughs 
for  a  reasonable  time,  but  this  must  be  done 
in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  injure  the  service, 
or  weaken  the  armv  too  much  at  once." 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  267 

In  this  state  of  things,  several  officers,  sup-  CHAP,  iv. 
posing  that  commissions  and  rank  might  1775. 
depend  on  recruiting  men,  began,  without 
permission,  to  inlist  soldiers  to  serve  particu- 
larly under  them.  This  practice  it  was  neces- 
sary to  stop.  All  further  inlistments,  under 
particular  officers,  were  forbidden  until  direc-  October  si. 
tions  to  that  effect  should  be  given.  "Com- 
missions in  the  army,"  say  the  orders,  "are  not 
intended  for  those  who  can  inlist  the  most 
men,  but  for  such  gentlemen  as  are  most 
likely  to  deserve  them.  The  general  would 
not  have  it  even  supposed,  nor  our  enemies 
encouraged  to  believe,  that  there  is  a  man  in 
this  army  (except  a  few  under  particular  cir- 
cumstances) who  will  require  to  be  twice 
asked  to  do  what  his  honour,  his  personal 
liberty,  the  welfare  of  his  country,  and  the 
safety  of  his  family,  so  loudly  demand  of  him. 
When  motives  powerful  as  these  conspire  to 
call  men  into  service,  and  when  that  service  is 
rewarded  with  higher  pay  than  private  soldiers 
ever  yet  received,  in  any  former  war,  the 
general  cannot,  nor  will  not,  until  convinced 
to  the  contrary,  harbour  so  despicable  an  opi- 
nion of  their  understanding,  and  their  zeal 
for  the  cause,  as  to  believe  they  will  desert  it." 

The  troops  were  also  assured,  that  clothes 
on  reasonable  terms  were  prepared  "for  those 
brave  soldiers,  who  intended  to  continue  in  the 
service  another  year." 

M  m  2 


TH£  LtfE  OF 

Notwithstanding  these  exhortations,  a  disin- 
clination to  make  further  engagements,  espe- 
cially without  knowing  the  officers  by  whom 
they  were  to  be  commanded,  continued  to  be 
manifested  by  the  privates. 

At  length,  with  much  labour,  the  officers 
were  arranged ;  immediately  after  which,  re- 
cruiting orders  were  issued.  After  stating  the 
terms  of  inlistment,  and  promising  leave  of 
absence  for  a  reasonable  time  during  the 
winter,  which,  however  inconvenient,  was  an 
indulgence-  found  to  be  indispensable,  the 
general  directed  the  officers,  "to  be  careful, 
not  to  inlist  any  person  suspected  of  being- 
unfriendly  to  the  liberties  of  America,  or  any 
abandoned  vagabond,  to  whom  all  causes,  and 
countries  are  equal,  and  alike  indifferent.  The 
rights  of  mankind,  and  the  freedom  of  America 
would  have  numbers  sufficient  to  support  them, 
without  resorting  to  such  wretched  assistance. 
Let  those  who  wish  to  put  shackles  upon  free- 
men, fill  their  ranks  with,  and  place  their  con- 
fidence in,  such  miscreants." 

But  the  sufferings  of  the  army  for  fuel,* 
clothes,  and  even  provisions,  had  been  great ; 
and  the  new  regiments  did  not  fill  with  that 

*  Mr.  Gordon  thus  states  the  dissatisfaction  with  the 
government  of  Massachusetts,  which  was  expressed  on 
this  occasion  by  general  Lee,  who  attributed  the  suffer- 
ings of  the  army  to  their  parsimony.  ".  The  assembly 
was  far  from  giving  satisfaction  to  general  Lee,  who, 
about  the  middle  of  November,  pronounced  them  be- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  269 

rapidity  which  had  been  expected.  Finding  this,  CHAP-IV- 
one  officer  from  each  company  was  employed  i?/5. 
to  recruit  in  the  country ;  but  the  progress  NOV.  20. 
made  was  not  such  as  the  public  exigencies 
demanded.  The  army  was  dissolving  by  the 
expiration  of  the  time  for  which  it  had  been 
inlisted,  and  men  in  sufficient  number  were  not 
yet  obtained,  to  take  the  places  of  those  who, 
having  performed  the  stipulated  duty,  insisted 
on  returning  home.  The  impatience  to  revisit 
their  friends,  discovered  by  the  soldiers  en- 
titled to  a  discharge,  was  so  extreme  and 
ungovernable  as  to  overcome  all  their  solicitude 
for  keeping  the  enemy  in  a  state  of  blockade, 
and  many  of  them  could  not  be  detained  in 
camp  even  for  ten  days,  at  the  end  of  which 
period,  was  expected  the  arrival  of  a  body  of 
militia  which  had  been  ordered  to  supply  their 
places  :  nor  was  it  without  great  difficulty, 
and  some  degree  of  violence,  that  any  of  them 
were  prevailed  on  to  remain  for  that  time. 
This  fact,  however,  did  not  sufficiently  impress 
on  the  governments  of  the  United  Colonies, 


numbed  in  a  fixed  state  of  torpitude  without  the  symp- 
toms of  animation,  unless  the  apprehensions  of  rendering 
themselves  unpopular  among  their  particular  constituents, 
by  an  act  of  vigour  for  the  public  service,  deserve  the 
name  of  animation.  He  charged  them  with  inconsistent 
and  timid  conduct,  and  ascribed  it  to  their  torpor,  narrow 
politics,  or  call  it  what  you  will,  that  the  army  had  been 
reduced  to  very  great  distress" 


270  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  iv.  that  it  was  possible  to  rely  too  much  on  indivi- 


1775.  duai  patriotism;  and  that  the  American  cause, 
if  defended  entirely  by  temporary  armies,  must 
be  often  exposed  to  the  most  imminent  hazards. 

Perceiving  the  very  great  difficulty  experi- 
enced in  recruiting  the  army,  and  alarmed  at 
a  circumstance  which  wore  so  serious  an  aspect, 
the  general  recommended  it  in  very  earnest 
No.v-  30-  terms  to  congress,  to  try  the  effect  of  a  bounty, 
but  this  proposition  was  not  acceded  to  until 
late  in  January  following  ;  and  on  the  last  day 
of  December,  when  all  the  old  troops  not 
engaged  on  the  new  establishments  were  dis- 
banded, only  nine  thousand  six  hundred  and 
fifty  men  had  been1  inlisted  for  the  army  of 
1776,  many  of  whom  were  unavoidably  per- 
mitted to  be  absent  on  furlough.  Their  num- 
bers, however,  were  considerably  augmented 
during  the  winter,  and,  in  the  mean  time,  the 
militia  cheerfully  complied  with  the  requisi- 
tions made  on  them, 

The  difficulty  of  recruiting  the  army  was 
greatly  increased  by  the  danger  apprehended 
from  the  small  pox.  Inoculation  had  not  then 
been  generally  practised  in  America,  and  the 
fears  entertained  of  the  disease  were  excessive. 
It  raged  in  Boston,  and  intelligence  was  re- 
ceived, that  general  Gage  had  caused  several 
persons  to  be  inoculated,  and  sent  into  the 
country  for  the  purpose  of  spreading  the  infec- 
tion. This  intelligence  was  never  confirmed, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  271 

but  a  belief  of  its  truth  was  greatly  strengthened  CHAP.IV. 
by  many  cases  of  the  disease  having  occurred    1775. 
among  those  who  had  been  permitted  to  leave 
the  town.     This,  however,    might  well  have 
happened  although  no  means  had  been  employed 
to  produce  the  effect.      The  report,    whether 
true  or  false,  increased  the  caution  observed  in 
all  communications  with  persons  who  had  been 
within  the  lines  of  the  enemy. 

Although  the  close  blockade  of  Boston,  and 
the  continued  attention  it  was  found  necessary 
to  bestow  on  the  organization  and  discipline  of 
the  troops,  gave  no  inconsiderable  degree  of 
employment  to  the  general;  and  although  his 
deficiency  in  military  stores,  and  the  very  ha- 
zardous operation  of  renovating  a  disbanded 
army  in  the  face  of  a  veteran  foe,  rendered  it, 
at  least,  a  very  bold  measure  to  maintain  the 
position  which  had  been  taken,  and  to  make 
advances  upon  the  enemy ;  yet  he  viewed  with 
infinite  mortification  that  semblance  of  inacti- 
vity to  which  his  situation  still  compelled  him 
to  submit.  In  the  commencement  of  the  con- 
test, while  the  minds  of  many  were  yet  unde- 
termined, it  was  of  vast  importance  to  secure 
the  public  confidence,  and  it  was  necessary  to 
pay  some  attention  even  to  the  public  caprice. 
The  real  difficulties  under  which  he  laboured 
were  not  generally  known.  His  numbers  were 
greatly  exaggerated,  and  his  means  for  carrying 
on  offensive  operations  very  much  magnified. 


272  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. iv.  The  expulsion  of  the  British  army  from  Boston 
1775.  had  been  long-  since  anticipated  by  many,  and 
there  were  not  wanting  those,  who  endeavoured 
to  spread  discontent  by  insinuating  that  he  was 
desirous  of  prolonging  the  war,  in  order  to 
continue  his  own  importance.  To  these  symp- 
toms of  impatience  and  discontent,  and  to  the 
consequences  they  might  produce,  he  could 
not  be  entirely  insensible ;  but  it  was  not  in  his 
power  to  silence  such  complaints  by  disclosing 
to  the  world  his  real  situation.  His  views  still 
continued  to  be  directed  towards  Boston;  and 
congress,  to  whom  the  result  of  the  former 
council  on  this  subject  had  been  communicated, 
having  manifested  a  disposition  favourable 
towards  an  attempt  on  that  place;  the  general 
officers  hadbeen  again  assembled,  and  had  again 
advised  unanimously  against  tne  measure.  It 
seems  to  have  been  understood,  that  fears  for 
the  safety  of  the  town  might  embarrass  the 
measures  of  the  army.  Congress,  therefore, 
who  still  inclined  to  favour  the  enterprise, 

December,  came  to  a  resolution,  "  that  if  general  Wash- 
ington and  his  council  of  war  should  be  of 
opinion  that  a  successful  attack  might  be  made 
on  the  troops  in  Boston,  he  should  make  it  in 
any  manner  he  might  think  expedient,  not- 
withstanding the  town  and  property  in  it  might 
be  thereby  destroyed." 

Whilst  waiting  for  a  favourable  opportunity  r 
to  execute  this  bold  plan,  the  American  general 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  973 

availed  himself  of  the  occasional  aids  received  CHAP.IV. 
from  the  militia  to  advance  on  the  enemy  by     1775. 
taking  positions  which  would  annoy  them  for^k^ 
the  present,  and  would  favour  his  ulterior  ope- Bost0'1' 
rations.     Plowed  hill,  Cobble  hill,  and  Lech- 
mere's  point,   were  successively  occupied  and 
fortified,  by  which  his  approaches  were  carried 
within  half  a  mile  of  their  works  on  Bunker's 
hill,  and  their  floating  batteries  could  no  longer 
maintain  the  stations  they  had  originally  cho- 
sen.    Floating  batteries  were  also  constructed 
on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  and  would  un- 
questionably   have    aided    either    offensive    or 
defensive  operations. 

Hitherto  the  war,  though  carried  on  with  the 
utmost  activity  of  which  the  means  possessed 
by  America  would  admit,  had  for  its  professed 
object,    only   a   redress    of    grievances.     The 
language,  that  it  was  a  war  only  against  a  cor- 
rupt administration  was  carefully  kept  up,  and 
allegiance  to  the  British   crown  was,   as  yet, 
every  where  avowed.    The  progress,  however, 
of   the    public    mind    towards    independence, 
though  slow,  was  certain ;  and  measures  were 
necessarily   taken  apparently  tending  to  that 
object.     Among  these  was  the  act  of  establish- 
ing temporary  governments,  in  place  of  that 
revolutionary    system    which    followed    those 
they  had  suspended. 

The  first  application   on  this    subject  was 
made  by  Massachusetts,  after  which,  several 

VOL.   II.  N  11 


274  THE  J-TFE  OF 

CHAP.  iv.  Of  the  colonies,  being  without  any  other  than 
1775.  a  revolutionary  government,  applied  to  con- 
gress for  advice  on  the  system  to  be  adopted 
for  conducting  their  affairs.  These  applica- 
tions could  not  fail  to  draw  forth  the  sentiments 
of  the  different  members,  on  the  very  interest- 
ing question  of  separating  entirely  from  the 
mother  country,  or  endeavouring  still  to  retain 
the  connexion  which  had  so  long  subsisted 
between  them.  Those  who  wished  to  lead  the 
public  opinion  to  the  independence  of  the 
colonies,  were  of  course  desirous  of  establish- 
ing immediately,  in  each  province,  a  regular 
government,  entirely  competent  to  the  admi- 
nistration of  its  affairs;  whilst  those  who  were 
hostile  to  such  an  event,  were  opposed  to  any 
measure  which  might  either  dispose  the  colo- 
nists towards  it,  or  strengthen  the  opinion  in 
GreatBritain,  that  it  was  the  real  object  of  those 
who  had  opposed  the  legislative  supremacy 
claimed  by  parliament.  It  was  not  without 
much  opposition  that  a  resolution  was  obtained 
in  the  case  of  New  Hampshire,  which  formed  a 
precedent  for  others  of  the  same  nature,  recom- 
mending it  to  the  provincial  convention  to  call 
a  full  and  free  representation  of  the  people,  who 
should  establish  such  form  of  government  as, 
in  their  judgment,  would  best  produce  the 
general  happiness,  and  most  effectually  secure 
peace  and  good  order  in  the  colony,  during  the 
continuance  of  the  present  dispute  with  Great 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  275 

Britain.     Without  this  last  clause,  which  still  CHAP,  iv. 
maintained  the  appearance  of  preserving  the     1775. 
ancient  connexion  with  the  parent  state,   the 
recommendation  would  not  have  been  made. 
About  the  same  time  it  was  also  declared,  that 
it  would  be  extremely  dangerous  to  the  liberties 
and  welfare  of  America,  for  any  colony  sepa- 
rately to  petition  the  king  or  either  house  of 
parliament. 

Having  taken  under  their  consideration  a 
proclamation,  declaring  certain  persons  in  the 
colonies  to  have  forgotten  their  allegiance  and 
to  be  in  a  state  of  open  rebellion,  and  threaten- 
ing with  punishment  those  who  should  be 
found  carrying  on  correspondence  with  those 
in  rebellion,  they  declared,  "  in  the  name  of 
the  people  of  these  United  Colonies,  and  by 
authority  according  to  the  purest  maxims  of 
representation  derived  from  them,  that  what- 
ever punishment  shall  be  inflicted  upon  any 
persons  in  the  power  of  their  enemies  for  favour- 
ing, aiding,  or  abetting  the  cause  of  American 
liberty,  shall  be  retaliated  in  the  same  kind, 
and  in  the  same  degree  upon  those  in  their 
power,  who  have  favoured,  aided,  or  abetted, 
or  shall  favour,  aid,  or  abet,  the  system  of 
ministerial  oppression."  "  The  essential  dif- 
ference," say  they,  "  between  our  cause  and 
that  of  our  enemies,  might  justify  a  severer 
punishment;  the  law  of  retaliation  will  unques- 
tionably warrant  one  equally  severe." 
Nn  2 


276  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. iv.       The  British  army  under  general  Howe,  who, 

1775.  on  the  recall  of  general  Gage  in  October,  had 
succeeded  to  the  command  of  it,  still  remained 
inactive  in  Boston,  and  was  still  closely  blocked 
up  on  the  land  side  by  the  Americans.     The 
history  of  this  winter  campaign  is  a  history  of 
continuing  and  successive  struggles  on  the  part 
of  the  American  general,  under  the  vexations 
and  difficulties  imposed  by  the  want  of  arms, 
ammunition,  and  permanent  troops,  on  a  person 
in  an  uncommon   degree   solicitous   to  prove 
himself  by  some  grand  and  useful  achievement, 
worthy  of  the  high  station  to  which  the  voice 
of  his  countrv  had  called  him. 

•/ 

1776.  The  resolution  relative  to  the  attack  on  Bos- 
J'"u'ary'    ton,  he  considered  as,  in  some  degree,  manifest- 
ing the  wishes  of  congress  on  that  subject,  and 
he  assured  the  president  that  an  attempt  would 
be  made  to  put  it  in  execution,  the  first  mo- 
ment he  should  perceive  a  probability  of  suc- 
cess:    If  this  should  not  be  as  soon  as  might 
be  expected  or  wished,  he  prayed  that  his  situ- 
ation might  be  attended  to,  and  that  congress 
would  do  him  the  justice  to  believe  that  cir- 
cumstances, not  inclination  on  his  part,  occa^ 
sioned  the  delay.    " It  is  not,"  says  he,  "in  the 
pages  of  history  to  furnish  a  case  like  ours. 
To  maintain  a  post  within  musket  shot  of  the 
enemy  for  six  months  together  without  ammu- 
nition, and  at  the  same  time  to.  disband   one 
army,  and  recruit  another,  within  that  distance 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  277 

of  twenty  odd  British  regiments,  is  more  than,  CHAP,  iv. 
probably,  ever  was  attempted.     But  if  we  sue-     irre. 
ceed  as  well  in  the  latter  as  we  have  hitherto 
done  in  the  former,  I  shall  think  it  the  most 
fortunate  event  of  my  whole  life." 

'The  want  of  ammunition  was  not  the  only 
alarming  difficulty  to  be  encountered.  The 
condition  of  the  troops  in  respect  to  arms,  was 
almost  equally  critical.  The  soldiers  compo- 
sing the  first  army  had  generally  brought  with 
them  into  the  field  their  own  fire  arms.  Indif- 
ferent as  those  were,  it  was  necessary  to  retain, 
at  least,  as  many  of  them  as  were  in  any  degree 
fit  for  use.  To  effect  this,  inspectors  were 
appointed  to  examine  them  and  fix  their  value, 
and  notice  was  given  that  two  months  pay 
should  be  stopped  from  every  soldier  who 
should  leave  the  camp  without  this  previous 
examination  of  his  arms,  and  without  giving 
up  such  as  should  be  deemed  fit  for  use.  The 
arms  were  either  so  generally  useless,  or, 
notwithstanding  these  precautions,  were  so 
generally  carried  off,  that  only  sixteen  hundred 
and  twenty  muskets  were  retained;  and  thus, 
this  source'  of  supply,  bad  as  it  was,  did  not 
fulfil  the  hopes  which  had  been  formed  of  it. 

The  recruiting  officers  were  directed  to  inlist 
only  those  men  who  had  arms ;  but  they  reported 
that  they  must  depart  from  these  instructions 
or  recruit  no  soldiers.  The  neighbouring 
governments,  as  well  as  that  of  Massachusetts, 

* 


278  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- IV-  were  applied  to  without  success ;  and  persons 
1776.  sent  with  money  to  make  purchases  in  the 
country  were  not  more  fortunate.  In  the 
beginning  of  February,  general  Washington 
informed  congress,  that  there  wrere  then  in  his 
army  near  two  thousand  men  without  fire  arms 
of  any  sort,  and  at  that  time  his  whole  effective 
rank  and  file,  independent  of  militia,  amounted 
only  to  eight  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty 
three.  His  incessant  representations  and  com- 
plaints on  this  all  interesting  point  were  unable 
to  procure  for  a  considerable  time  any  supply. 
Under  all  these  disadvantages,  the  general 
still  cherished  the  hope  of  being  enabled  in 
the  course  of  the  winter,  to  act  offensively. 
So  early  as  in  the  month  of  January,  he  had 
called  a  council,  at  which  mr.  John  Adams,  a 
member  of  congress,  and  mr.  Warren,  presi- 
dent of  the  provincial  congress  of  Massachus- 
setts,  assisted,  in  which  it  was  resolved,  "  that 
a  vigorous  attempt  ought  to  be  made  on  the 
ministerial  troops  in  Boston  before  they  can  be 
re-enforced  in  the  spring,  if  the  means  can  be 
provided,  and  a  favourable  opportunity  should 
offer."  It  was  further  advised  "that  thirteen 
regiments  of  militia  should  be  asked  for  from 
Massachussetts  and  the  neighbouring  colonies, 
in  order  to;put  them  in  a  condition  to  make  the 
attempt.  The  militia  to  assemble  on  the  first 
of  February,  and  to  continue,  if  necessary, 
until  the  first  of  March."  In  pursuance  of  this 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  279 

advice,  the  requisitions  for  militia  were  made  CHAP.IV. 
and  readily  complied  with.  The  re-enforce-  1776. 
ments  thus  obtained,  amounted  to  between 
four  and  five  thousand  men,  but  the  mildness  of 
the  season  had  hitherto  been  such,  that  the 
waters  about  Boston  continued  open.  "  Con- 
gress in  my  last,"  said  the  general  on  the 
19th  of  January,  "  would  discover  my  motives 
for  strengthening  these  lines  with  militia.  But 
whether,  as  the  weather  turns  out  exceedingly 
mild  (insomuch  as  to  promise  nothing  favour- 
able from  ice)  and  there  is  no  appearance  of 
powder,  I  shall  be  able  to  attempt  any  thing 
decisive,  time  only  can  determine.  No  man 
upon  earth  wishes  more  ardently  to  destroy  the 
nest  in  Boston  than  I  do;  no  person  would  be 
willing  to  go  greater  lengths  than  I  shall  to 
accomplish  it,  if  it  shall  be  thought  advisable ; 
but  if  we  have  no  powder  to  bombard  with, 
nor  ice  to  pass  on,  we  shall  be  in  no  better 
situation  than  we  have  been  in  all  the  year,  we 
shall  be  in  a  worse,  as  their  works  are  stronger. " 
The  fatal  error  of  short  inlistments,  into 
which  both  the  continental  and  colonial  go- 
vernments had  fallen,  (perhaps  had  been  driven 
by  the  temper  and  habits  of  the  people,)  had 
long  been  a  subject  of  very  deep  concern  to  the 
commander  in  chief.  He  at  length  determined 
to  beg  the  serious  attention  of  congress  to  it. 
His  letter  on  this  occasion  pourtrays  in  part 
the  mischief  resulting  from  this  unfortunate 


280  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. iv.  measure.  "  The  disadvantages,"  he  observed, 
17'Y6.  "  attending  the  limited  inlistment  of  troops,  are 
too  apparent  to  those  who  are  eye  witnesses  of 
them,  to  render  any  animadversions  necessary; 
but  to  gentlemen  at  a  distance,  whose  attention 
is  engrossed  by  a  thousand  important  objects, 
the  case  may  be  otherwise. 

"  That   this  cause  precipitated  the  fate  of 
the   brave  and  much  to  be  lamented  general 
Montgomery,  and  brought  on  the  defeat  which 
followed  thereupon,  I  have  not  the  most  distant 
doubt;    for  had  he  not  been  apprehensive  of 
the  troops  leaving  him  at  so  important  a  crisis, 
but  continued  the  blockade  of  Quebec,  a  capi- 
tulation, from  the  best  accounts  I  have  been 
able  to  collect,  must  inevitably  have  followed  : 
and  that  we  were  not  obliged,  at  one  time,  to 
dispute  these  lines  under  disadvantageous  cir- 
cumstances (proceeding  from  the  same  cause, 
to  wit,   the  troops  disbanding  of  themselves 
before  the  militia  could  be  got  in)  is,  to  me,  a 
matter  of  wonder  and  astonishment ;  and  proves 
that  general  Howe  was  either  unacquainted  with 
our  situation,  or  restrained  by  his  instructions 
from  putting  any  thing  to  hazard  until  his  re- 
enforcements  should  arrive. 

"  The  instance  of  general  Montgomery  (I 
mention  it  because  it  is  a  striking  one,  for  a 
number  of  others  might  be  adduced,)  proves 
that,  instead  of  having  men  to  take  advantage 
of  circumstances,  you  are  in. a  manner  com- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  281 

pelled,  right  or  wrong,  to  make  circumstances  CHAP,  iv. 
yield  to  a  secondary  consideration.  Since  the  1776. 
first  of  December,  I  have  been  devising  every 
means  in  my  power  to  secure  these  encamp- 
ments ;  and,  though  I  am  sensible  that  we 
never  have  since  that  period,  been  able  to  act 
on  the  offensive,  and  at  times  not  in  a  condition 
to  defend ;  yet  the  cost  of  marching  home  one 
set  of  men,  and  bringing  in  another,  the  havoc 
and  waste  occasioned  by  the  first,  the  repairs 
necessary  for  the  second,  with  a  thousand  inci- 
dental charges  and  inconveniences  which  have 
arisen,  and  which  it  is  scarcely  possible  either 
to  recollect  or  describe,  amount  to  near  as 
much  as  the  keeping  up  a  respectable  body  of 
troops  the  whole  time  ready  for  any  emergency 
would  have  done. 

"  To  this  may  be  added,  that  you  never  can 
have  a  well  disciplined  army. 

"  To  make  men  well  acquainted  with  the 
duties  of  a  soldier  requires  time.  To  bring 
them  under  proper  discipline  and  subordination 
not  only  requires  time,  but  is  a  work  of  great 
difficulty  ;  and  in  this  army,  where  there  is  so 
little  distinction  between  officers  and  soldiers, 
requires  an  uncommon  degree  of  attention. 
To  expect  then  the  same  service  from  raw  and 
undisciplined  recruits,  as  from  veteran  soldiers, 
is  to  expect  what  never  did,  and  perhaps,  never 
will  happen. 

VOL.    II.  O  O 


282  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. iv.       "  Men  who  are  familiarized  to  danger,  ap- 
1776.    proach  it  without  thinking,    whereas,   troops 
unused  to  service  apprehend  danger  where  no 
danger  exists. 

"  Three  things  prompt  men  to  a  regular  dis- 
charge of  their  duty  in  time  of  action, — natural 
bravery,  hope  of  reward,  and  fear  of  punish- 
ment. The  two  first  are  common  to  the 
untutored,  and  the  disciplined  soldier;  but  the 
last  most  obviously  distinguishes  one  from  the 
other.  A  coward  taught  to  believe  that,  if  he 
breaks  his  ranks  and  abandons  his  colours,  he 
will  be  punished  with  fleath  by  his  own  party, 
will  take  his  chance  against  the  enemy;  but 
the  man  who  thinks  little  of  the  one,  and  is 
fearful  of  the  other,  acts  from  present  feelings, 
regardless  of  consequences. 

"Again,  men  of  a  day's  standing  Avill  not 
look  forward;  and,  from  experience  we  find 
that,  as  the  time  approaches  for  their  discharge, 
they  grow  careless  of  their  arms,  ammunition, 
camp  utensils  &c.  nay,  even  the  barracks 
themselves  have  felt  uncommon  marks  of  wan- 
ton depredation,  and  we  are  laid  under  fresh 
trouble  and  additional  expense  in  providing 
for  every  fresh  party,  at  a  time  when  we  find 
it  next  to  impossible  to  procure  the  articles 
absolutely  necessary,  in  the  first  instance.  To 
this  may  be  added  the.  seasoning  which  new 
recruits  must  have  to  a  camp,  and  the  loss  con- 
sequent thereupon. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  283 

"  But  this  is  not  all.  Men  engaged  for  a  CHAP.IV. 
short  limited  time  only,  have  the  officers  too  1776. 
much  in  their  power.  To  obtain  a  degree  of 
popularity  in  order  to  induce  a  second  inlist- 
ment, a  kind  of  familiarity  takes  place  which 
brings  on  a  relaxation  of  discipline,  unlicensed 
furloughs,  and  other  indulgencies,  incompatible 
with  order  and  good  government,  by  which 
means  the  latter  part  of  the  time  for  which  the 
soldier  was  engaged,  is  spent  in  undoing  what 
it  required  much  labour  to  inculcate  in  the  first. 

"  To  go  into  an  enumeration  of  all  the  evils 
we  have  experienced  in  this  late  great  change 
of  the  army,  and  the  expense  incidental  to  it, 
to  say  nothing  of  the  hazard  we  have  run  and 
must  run,  between  the  discharging  of  one 
army  and  the  inlistment  of  another  (unless  an 
enormous  expense  of  militia  is  incurred)  would 
greatly  exceed  the  founds  of  a  letter.  What 
I  have  already  taken  the  liberty  of  saying  will 
serve  to  convey  a  general  idea  of  the  matter, 
and  therefore,  I  shall  with  all  due  deference, 
take  the  freedom  to  give  it  as  my  opinion  that, 
if  congress  have  any  reason  to  believe  there 
will  be  occasion  for  troops  another  year,  and 
consequently  for  another  inlistment,  they  would 
save  money,  and  have  infinitely  better  troops,  if 
they  were,  even  at  the  bounty  of  twenty,  thirty, 
or  more  dollars,  to  engage  the  men  already  in- 
listed  until  January  next,  and  such  others  as 
may  be  wanted  to  complete  the  establishment, 
o  o  2 


THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. iv.  for  and  during  the  war.  I  will  not  undertake 
1776.  to  say  that  the  men  may  be  had  on  these  terms, 
but  I  am  satisfied  that  it  will  never  do  to  let 
the  matter  alone,  as  it  was  last  year,  until  the 
time  of  service  is  near  expiring.  In  the  first 
place,  the  hazard  is  too  great :  in  the  next, 
the  trouble  and  perplexity  of  disbanding  one 
army  and  raishig  another  at  the  same  instant, 
and  in  such  a  critical  situation  as  the  last  was, 
is  scarcely  in  the  power  of  words  to  describe, 
and  such  as  no  man  who  has  once  experienced 
it,  will  ever  undergo  again. 

Unfortunately,  congress  did  not  feel  so  sen- 
sibly as  their  general,  the  incapacity  of  tempo- 
rary armies,  to  oppose  those  which  are  perma- 
nent. Nor  were  his  officers  of  high  rank,  as 
yet,  sufficiently  impressed  on  this  subject.  In 
a  council  held  previous  to  the  new  modelling 
of  the  army,  they  had  been  of  opinion  that  the 
inlistments  might  be  only  for  one  year. 

Very  early  in  January,  general  Washington 
received  unquestionable  intelligence,  that  an 
armament  was  equipping  in  Boston  to  sail  under 
general  Clinton,  on  a  secret  expedition.  From 
the  season  of  the  year,  he  counted  certainly  on 
its  being  designed  for  some  southern  service  ; 
and  a  variety  of  considerations  induced  him  to 
believe  that  New  York  was  its  destination. 
He  thought  it  of  great  importance  to  the  enemy 
to  obtain  possession  of  the  Hudson,  as  they 
would  thereby  open  to  themselves  the  best 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  285 

channel  of  intercourse  with  Canada,  and  would  CHAP,  iv. 
render  extremely  difficult  all  communication     1776. 
between  the   northern  and  southern  colonies. 
In  addition  to  this,  the  royal  cause  had  more 
adherents  in  New  York,    especially  on  Long 
Island,  where  a  party  of  tories  were  said  to  be 
embodying    themselves,    than    in    any  other 
colony,    and   this  was  believed  to   furnish   a 
motive  for  taking  possession  of  that  country, 
by  no  means  without  its  influence. 

The  same  considerations  which  appeared  to 
render  this  position  so  essential  to  the  enemy, 
made  it  an  object,  not  of  less  consequence  to 
the  American  army,  to  maintain  it.  Whilst 
deliberating  on  this  subject,  and  doubting  his 
power  and  the  propriety  of  taking  such  a  step 
without  the  previous  approbation  of  congress, 
he  received  a  letter  from  general  Lee,  request- 
ing to  be  detached  under  his  authority  to 
Connecticut,  there  to  collect  a  body  of  volun- 
teers, and  march  them  to  New  York,  to  be 
employed  both  for  the  security  of  that  place, 
and  the  expulsion  or  suppression  of  a  banditti 
of  tories  collecting  on  Long  Island.  Though 
greatly  inclined  to  the  adoption  of  this  measure, 
of  the  utility  of  which  he  felt  the  most  positive 
conviction,  the  delicacy  which  it  was  necessary 
for  him  to  observe  with  the  civil  authority, 
produced  some  suspense  of  his  decision.  Mr. 
John  Adams,  a  very  influential  member  of 
congress,  was  then  at  Watertown,  attending  the 


286  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- 1V-  provincial  convention,  and  with  him,  the  gene- 
ir?6.  ral  determined  to  consult,  especially  respecting 
the  idea  entertained  of  the  extent  of  his  powers. 
That  gentleman,  who  highly  approved  the 
proposition  of  Lee,  was  decidedly  of  opinion, 
that  the  powers  of  the  commander  in  chief 
extended  to  the  case;  and  general  Lee  was  im- 
mediately detached,  with  instructions  to  raise  a 
body  of  volunteers  from  Connecticut,  and  to 
call  on  the  battalions  of  Jersey  with  those  of 
New  York,  to  join  him.  He  was  to  examine 
the  fortifications  of  the  city,  and  up  the  river ; 
to  put  them  in  the  best  possible  state  of 
defence,  and  to  disarm  and  secure  all  those 
whose  conduct  and  declarations  rendered  them 
justly  suspected  of  designs  unfriendly  to  the 
views  of  congress,  especially  those  on  Long 
Island.  All  the  arms  and  ammunition  found 
in  their  possession,  were  to  be  collected  for 
the  use  of  the  army. 

Congress  had  already  taken  up  the  subject 
of  disarming  and  securing  the  disaffected  in 
Queen's  county,  on  Long  Island,  where  the 
people  had  refused  to  elect  members  to  the 
provincial  convention  They  had  ordered  two 
battalions  to  enter  the  country  at  its  opposite 
extremities  on  the  same  day,  and  to  secure  the 
arms  of  every  individual  who  had  voted  against 
choosing  members  to  the  convention.  These 
vigorous  orders,  however,  were  soon  counter- 
manded, and  a  regiment  raised  in  Connecticut 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  287 

for  the  special  purpose,  under  the  command  CHAP.IV/ 
of  colonel  Waterbury,  was  ordered  to  be  dis- 
charged.  No  direct  reason  has  been  assigned 
for  this  fluctuation  in  the  proceedings  of  con- 
gress, but  it  appears  that  the  convention  of 
New  York  was  very  much  opposed  to  the 
commencement  of  hostilities  in  that  colony, 
and  also  claimed  for  itself  the  direction  of 
measures  to  be  executed  within  it.  Some  ap- 
prehensions seem  to  have  been  entertained,  that 
so  strong  a  measure  might  throw  into  thearms 
of  the  enemy  all  those  who  were  not  yet  pre- 
pared for  open  war;  and  that  its  being  executed 
under  the  immediate  direction  of  congress, 
might  excite  the  jealousy  of  the  local  authori- 
ties. Whatever  motives  might  lead  to  it,  the 
commander  in  chief  very  much  regretted  this 
change  of  system,  and  in  a  letter  to  general 
Lee,  after  expressing  that  regret,  says,  "they, 
I  doubt  not,  had  their  reasons  for  it ;  but  to 
me  it  appears  that  the  period  is  arrived,  when 
nothing  less  than  the  most  decisive  and  vigor- 
ous measures  should  be  pursued.  Our  enemies 
from  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic  will  be 
sufficiently  numerous,.... it  highly  concerns  us 
to  have  as  few  internal  ones  as  possible." 

In  a  subsequent  letter,  after  sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton had  sailed  from  Boston,  he  stated  to  general 
Lee  his  apprehension  that,  on  the  arrival  of 
the  troops  in  New  York,  governor  Tryon 
would  be  ready  to  join  them  at  the  head  of  a 


288  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP-  *v-  great  number  of  the  inhabitants,  disaffected  to 
1776.  the  American  cause  :  and  therefore,  he  urged 
the  necessity  of  being  decisive  and  expeditious 
in  his  operations.  "  The  tories,"  (a  term  desig- 
nating all  those  who  favoured  the  enemy,)  he 
said,  "  should  be  disarmed,  and  the  principal 
characters  among  them  secured."  He  ex- 
pressed a  hope  that  governor  Tryon  would  be 
of  the  number.  But  considering  general  Lee 
to  be  under  the  directions  of  congress,  to 
which  body  that  officer  had  applied  for  instruc- 
tions, he  only  expressed  his  wishes  that  he 
might  be  permitted  to  act  in  that  decisive  man- 
ner which  comported  with  the  opinions  of  them 
both. 

Congress,  however,  had  now  submitted  this 
whole  subject  to  the  colonial  authorities,  with 
a  recommendation  to  them  to  disarm  the  dis- 
affected, and  to  secure  the  most  dangerous  of 
them,  either  by  confining  them,  or  obliging 
them  to  give  .security  for  their  good  behaviour. 
To  enable  the  local  authorities  to  comply  with 
this  recommendation,  they  were  empowered* 
to  call  to  their  aid  any  continental  troops  sta- 
tioned .in  or  near  their  respective  colonies, 
who  were  ordered,  while  employed  in  this  ser- 
vice, to  place  themselves  entirely  under  the 
direction  and  control  of  the  colonial  govern- 
ment. 

*   See  Note,  No.  XVI.  at  the  end  of  .the  volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  289 

General   Lee   experienced   no   difficulty    in  CHAP,  iv. 
raising  the  volunteers  required  from  Connecti-     1776. 
cut.   The  people  of  that  province  were  remark- 
ably zealous    and  enterprising,   and   governor 
Trumbull  having  sanctioned  the  measure,  the 
numbers  deemed  necessary  for  the  expedition 
immediately  embodied,    and  Lee  commenced 
his  march  for  New  York  at  the  head  of  twelve 
hundred  men. 

The  inhabitants  of  that  place  ^  were  much 
alarmed  at  his  approach.  Threats  had  been 
uttered  by  captain  Parker  of  the  Asia  man  of 
war,  then  lying  in  the  harbour,  that  he  would 
destroy  the  town  in  the  event  of  its  being 
entered  by  any  considerable  body  of  provincial 
forces  ;  and  it  was  believed  that  these  threats 
would  be  executed. 

A  committee  of  safety  had  been  appointed 
to  exercise  the  powers  of  government  during 
the  recess  of  the  provincial  congress,  and  they 
addressed  a  letter  to  general  Lee,  manifesting 
their  astonishment  at  the  report,  that  he  was 
about  to  enter  their  town  without  any  previous 
intimation  of  his  design  to  them,  and  their 
fears  of  the  mischievous  consequences  which 
would  result  from  such  a  measure.  They  could 
not  believe  it  possible  that  such  a  step  had 
been  resolved  on  without  being  communicated 
to  them;  but,  if  in  this  they  were  mistaken, 
they  expressed  the  most  earnest  solicitude  that 

V  O  L .    1 1 .  .         P 


290  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  iv.  he  would  halt  his  troops  on  the  confines  of 
1776.    Connecticut  until  they  could  have  further  ex- 
,  planations  with  him. 

Lee  held  in  utter  contempt  the  threats  which 
had  been  thrown  out  by  the  enemy  of  destroy- 
ing the  town,  and  continued  his  march  from 
that  place  with  the  utmost  celerity.  He  ad- 
dressed a  letter  f  to  congress,  in  which  he 
displayed  in  such  strong  terms,  the  necessity 
of  pursuing,  with  respect  to  New  York,  a 
diiferent  course  from  that  which  their  resolution 
authorized,  that,  instead  of  leaving  him  entirely 
under  the  control  of  the  local  government,  a 
committee  of  three  from  their  own  body  was 
detached  to  consult  with  him  and  the  council 
of  safety  respecting  the  defence  of  the  place, 
and  he  was  instructed  to  obey  the  directions  of 
that  committee. 

As  might  well  have  been  expected  from 
the  experience  and  talents  of  general  Lee,  his 
opinions  guided  both  the  committee  sent  for 
his  government  and  the  council  of  safety,  and 
whatever  he  suggested  they  directed  him  to  ex- 
ecute. It  was  determined  to  fortify  some  com- 
manding part  of  the  city,  to  be  occupied  by 
two  thousand  men ;  to  erect  inclosed  batteries 
on  both  sides  of  the  water  near  Hellgate,  so  as 
to  protect  the  town  against  pirates  through  the 
sound  and  at  the  same  time  to  secure  a  com- 


*   See  Note,  JVo.  XVII.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  291 

munication  with  Long  Island,    where   it  was  CHAP,  iv. 
determined  to  form  a  strong  fortified  camp  for     1776. 
three  thousand  men;  and  to  make  the  defences 
of  the   highlands   as   respectable  .as  possible, 
which  were  immediately  to  be  garrisoned  by  a 
battalion  of  regular  troops. 

General  Clinton  arrived  almost  at  the  same 
instant  with  general  Lee,  but  without  any 
troops.  He  gave  out  that  none  were  coming  ; 
that  no  hostilities  were  contemplated  against 
New  York,  and  that  he  was  himself  merely  on 
a  visit  to  his  friend  Try  on.  "  If  it  be  really 
so,"  added  general  Lee,  in  his  letter  containing 
this  communication,  "  it  is  the  most  whimsical 
piece  of  civility  I  ever  heard  of."  General 
Clinton  did  not  affect  to  conceal  his  objects, 
but  declared  that  he  was  to  proceed  to  North 
Carolina,  where  he  expected  the  small  force  he 
should  carry  with  him  would  be  joined  by  five 
regiments  from  Europe. 

The  fortifications  of  New  York,  were  prose- 
cuted with  vigour,  and  captain  Parker,  finding 
his  threats  entirely  disregarded,  no  longer 
uttered  them,  but  avowed  his  wish  to  save  a 
town  which  contained  so  many  loyal  inhabi- 
tants. 

About  the  middle  of  February,  the  severe 
cold  set  in,  and  the  ice  became  sufficiently  firm 
to  bear  the  troops.  General  Washington  was 
now  disposed  to  execute  the  bold  plan  he  had 
formed,  of  attacking  the  enemy  in  Boston, 
pp  2 


292  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  iv.  Several  considerations  concurred  in  recom- 
1776.  mending  this  hazardous  enterprise.  There 
being  no  prospect  of  a  sufficient  supply  of 
powder  to  force  them  out  by  regular  approaches 
and  bombardment ;  the  very  great  importance 
attached  to  a  destruction  of  the  present  army, 
before  re -enforcements  should  arrive  from 
Europe,  an  event  not  to  be  produced  without 
the  command  of  the  waters,  should  the  town 
be  taken  by  regular  approaches ;  the  certainty 
that  he  must  soon  lose  the  present  advantage 
afforded  by  the  ice  of  moving  on  an  extensive 
plain,  and  thereby  approaching  the  town  by  a 
less  dangerous  direction ;  the  confidence  he  felt 
in  the  courage  of  his  troops ;  all  disposed  him 
to  ris-k  an  immediate  assault,  although  he  had 
not  ammunition  to  cover  the  advance  of  his 
army  with  artillery.  A  council  of  war,  how- 
ever, summoned  on  the  occasion,  was  almost 
unanimous  against  the  measure,  and  it  ~\vas 
therefore  abandoned,  though  with  reluctance. 
The  want  of  ammunition  for  their  artillery  was 
a  principal  inducement  to  this  opinion.  It  is 
probable,  the  attempt  might  not  have  suc- 
ceeded. J.t  must  certainly  have  been  attended 
with  considerable  loss.  The  advice  of  the 
council,  however,  seems  to  have  been  adopted 
with  regret.  In  communicating  their  opinion 
to 'congress,  the  general  observed,  "  perhaps 
the  irksorneness  of  my  situation  may  have 
given  different  ideas  to  me,  from  those  which 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  293 

influence  the  gentlemen  I  consulted;  and  might  CHAP. iv. 
have  inclined  me  to  put  more  to  the  hazard  1775. 
than  was  consistent  with  prudence.  If  it  had 
this  effect,  I  am  not  sensible  of  it,  as  I  endea- 
voured to  give  the  subject  all  the  consideration, 
a  matter  of  such  importance  required.  True  it 
is,  and  I  cannot  help  acknowledging,  that  I 
have  many  disagreable  sensations  on  account 
of  my  situation ;  for,  to  have  the  eyes  of  the 
whole  continent  fixed  on  me,  with  anxious 
expectation  of  hearing  of  some  great  event, 
and  to  be  restrained  in  every  military  operation 
for  want  of  the  necessary  means  to  carry  it  on, 
is  not  very  pleasing;  especially  as  the  means 
used  to  conceal  my  weakness  from  the  enemy, 
conceal  it  also  from  our  friends  and  add  to  their 
wonder." 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  February,  there 
were  various  appearances  among  the  British 
troops  in  Boston,  indicating  an  intention  to 
evacuate  that  place.  In  the  opinion  that  New 
York  must  be  their  object,  general  Washington 
pressed  general  Lee  to  hasten  as-  much  as  pos- 
sible the  fortifications  around  that  city,  and  his 
preparations  to  receive  the  enemy  ;  but  as  these 
appearances  might  be  entirely  deceptive,  and 
he  had  now  received  a  small  supply  of  powder, 
he  determined  to  prosecute  with  vigour  a  plan 
he  had  formed,  to  force  general  Howe  either  to 
come  to  an  action,  or  to  abandon  the  town  of 
Boston. 


294  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  iv.       Since  the  allowance  of  a  bounty,  recruiting 

1776.  had  been  rather  more  successful.  The  effective 
regular  force  engaged  for  the  year,  now  amounted 
to  something  more  than  fourteen  thousand 
men.  In  addition  to  these  troops,  the  com- 
mander in  chief  called  out  about  six  thousand 
of  the  militia  of  Massachussetts,  and  thus  re- 
enforced,  he  determined  to  take  possession  of, 
and  fortify  the  heights  of  Dorchester,  from 
whence  it  would  be  in  his  power  greatly  to 
annoy  the  ships  in  the  harbour,  and  the  soldiers 
in  the  town.  The  taking  this  position  he  hoped, 
and  was  convinced,  must  bring  on  a  general 
action,  as  the  enemy  must  inevitably  attempt 
to  drive  him  from  it ;  but  if  in  this  he  should 
be  mistaken,  he  resolved  to  make  the  fortifica- 
tions of  the  heights  of  Dorchester  only  prepa- 
ratory to  his  seizing  and  fortify  ing  Nook's  hill, 
and  the  points  opposite  the  south  end  of  Boston, 
which  commanded  entirely  the  harbour,  a 
great  part  of  the  town,  and  the  beach  from 
which  an.  -embarkation  must  take  place  in  the 
event  of  a  retreat. 

To  facilitate  the  execution  of  this  plan,  and 
in  pursuance  of  the  advice  given  in  a  council 

March,  of  war,  a  heavy  bombardment  and  cannonade 
on  the  town  and  lines  of  the  enemy,  was  com- 
menced on  the  evening  of  the  second  of  March, 
from  the  forts,  which  was  repeated  the  two 
succeeding  nights.  On  the  night  of  the  fourth, 
immediately  after  the  firing  had  begun,  a  con- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  295 

siderable  detachment  of  the  Americans,  under  CHAP,  iv. 
the  command  of  general  Thomas,  crossing  the     1776. 
neck  from  Roxbury,  took  possession  of  tbe££nSU 
heights  without   opposition ;    and  though  the  Dof^stL 
ground  was  so  hard  as  to  be  almost  impenetrable, 
in  consequence  of  which  they  were  obliged  to 
avail  themselves  of  fascines  and  other  materials 
carried  to  the  place,  yet,  by  very  great  activity 
and  industry  through  the  night,  the  works  were 
so  far  advanced  by  the  morning,  as  in  a  great 
degree  to  cover  them  from  the  shot  of  the  ene- 
my.  When  day  light  disclosed  their  operations 
to  the  British,  a  considerable  degree  of  embar- 
rassment appeared,  and  an  ineffectual  fire  was 
commenced  on  the  party  in  possession  of  the 
heights,    who   opened  in   turn   a    battery    on 
them,  and  continued  with  unremitting  labour 
to  strengthen  their  position. 

It  was  now  necessary  to  dislodge  the  Amer-  March  s- 
icans  from  the  heights,  or  to  evacuate  the  town; 
and  the  British  general  as  had  been  foreseen, 
determined  to  embrace  the  former  paj;t  of  the 
alternative.  Lord  Percy  with  part  of  five  regi- 
ments, and  the  grenadiers,  and  light  infantry, 
amounting  to  about  three  thousand  men,  was 
ordered  on  this  service ;  and  the  next  day,  the 
troops  were  embarked  and  fell  down  to  the 
castle,  in  order  to  proceed  from  thence  up  the 
river  to  the  intended  scene  of  action;  but  they 
were  scattered  by  a  furious  storm  which  dis- 
abled them  from  prosecuting  the  enterprise  at 


296  THE  LIFE,  OF 

CHAP- IV-  that  time,  and  before  they  could  again  be  in 

1776.    readiness  for  the  attack,  the  works  were  made 

so  strong,  that  it  was  thought  unadvisable  to 

attempt  to  force  them;  and  the  evacuation  of 

the  town  was  resolved  on. 

In  the  expectation  that  the  flower  of  the 
British  troops  would  be  engaged  in  the  attack 
on  the  heights  of  Dorchester,  general  Wash- 
ington had  concerted  a  plan  for  availing  himself 
of  that  occasion,  to  attack  the  town  of  Boston 
itself.  Four  thousand  chosen  men  were  held 
in  readiness  to  embark  at  the  mouth  of  Cam- 
bridge river,  on  a  signal  to  be  given,  if  the 
enemy  should  be  out  in  such  force,  as  to 
justify  an  opinion  that  an  attack  on  the  town 
might  be  made  with  a  good  prospect  of  success. 
These  troops  were  to  embark  in  two  divisions, 
the  first  to  be  led  by  brigadier  general  Sullivan, 
the  second  by  brigadier  general  Green,  and  the 
whole  to  be  under  the  Command  of  major 
general  Putnam,.  The  boats  were  to  be  p 
ceded  by  three  floating  batteries,  which  were 
to  keep  up  a  heavy  fire  on  that  part  of  the  town 
where  the  troops  were  tof  land.  It  was  proposed 
that  the  first  division  should  land  at  the  powder 
house,  and  gain  possession  of  Bacon  hill;  the 
second  at  Barton's  point,  or  a  little  south  of  it, 
and  after  securing  that  post,  to  join  the  other 
division,  and  fo'tftc  the  enemy's  itv'bvks:  and 
gates  so  as  to  give  admission  to  the  troops  from 
Roxbury. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  097 

Had  this  plan  succeeded,,  the  British  army  CHAP,  iv. 
.  in  Boston  must  have  been  entirely  destroyed,     irre. 
Of  its  success  general  Washington  entertained  . 
the  most  sanguine  hopes,  and  very  greatly  re- 
gretted the  storm  which  defeated  the  proposed 
attack  on  the  heights  of  Dorchester,  and  con- 
sequently the  residue  of  his  plan,  the  execution 
of  which  was  entirely  dependent  on  that  attack. 

The  general  soon  received  information  of  the 
determination  of  the  enemy  to  evacuate  Boston. 
"  A  paper  signed  by  some  of  the  select  men 
of  the  town,  and  brought  out  with  a  flag,, 
stated  the  fact,  and  was  accompanied  with  pro- 
positions said  to  be  made  on  the  part  of  general 
Howe,  but  not  signed  by  him,  relative  to  the 
security  of  the  town,  and  the  peaceable  em- 
barkation of  his  army.  As  this  letter  was  not 
addressed  to  the  commander  in  chief,  nor  au- 
thenticated by  the  signature  of  general  Howe^ 
nor  by  any  act  obligatory  on  him,  it  was 
thought  improper  that  general  Washington 
should  directly  notice  it,  and  it  was  determined 
that  the  officer  to  whom  it  was  delivered,  should 
return  an  answer  stating  the  reasons  why  a 

fl 

more  particular  regard" was  not  paid  to  it. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  determination  to  con- 
tinue to  advance  on  the  enemy,  and  to  secure 
Nook's  hill,  was  changed.  The  reason  assigned 
for  abandoning  this  plan  was,  that  it  was  *>ot 
deemed  advisable,  now  that  the  evacuation  of 
Boston  was  certain,  to  press  the  retreating 

VOL.  ii. 


298  THE  LIFE  °F 

CHAP. iv.  arm^  too  closely;-  because  their  embarkation 
1776.  could  not  be  prevented,  and  a  longer  delay  . 
would  give  further  time  to  strengthen  New 
York,  which  the  general  still  persisted  to  think 
would  be  their  destinations  In  this  opinion 
he  moved  considerable  detachments  towards 
that  place,  before  the  town  of  Boston  was 

Boston        actually  evacuated.     This  event  took  place  on 

evacuated. 

• the   17th  of  March,    and  was  probably   in  a 

March  17.  J 

degree  precipitated  by  some  works  thrown  up 

on  Nook's  hill  the  preceding  evening.  As  the 
^  enemy  continued  some  time  in  Nantasket  road, 
so  as  to  create  a  suspicion  that  they  might  pos- 
sibly design  to  reland,  the  general  thought'  it 
necessary  to  take  possession  of  the  heights 
around  the  town,  and  to  erect  fortifications  on 
Fort  hill,  a  point  of  great  natural  strength,  and 
comni'anding  the  place  where  an  invading  army 
would  most  probably  debark.  But  in  a  few 
days,  the  whole  fleet  set  sail,  and  the  American 
army  proceeded  by  divisions  to  New  York. 

The  recovery  of  this  important  town  w«.s  an 
event  which  gave  very  general  joy.  It  was 
"  resolved,  that  the  thanks  of  congress  in  their 
own  name,  and  in  the  name  of  the  Thirteen 
United  Culonies,  whom  they  represent,  be 
presented  to  his  excellency  general  Washington, 
and  the  officers  and  soldiers  under  his  command, 
for  their  wise  and  spirited  conduct  in  the  siege 
and  acquisition  of  Boston,  and  that  a  medal  of 
gold  be  struck  in  commemoration  of  this  great 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  299 

event,   and  presented  to  his  excellency  ;    and  CHAP. iv. 
that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  pre-     1776. 
pare  a  letter  of  thanks,  and  a  proper  device  for 
the  medal." 

The  town  of  Boston  was  left  standing,  and 
much  less  mischief  was  done  to  the  houses 
and  property  of  the  inhabitants,  than  had  been 
apprehended.  A  great  number  of  those  who 
had  been  attached  to  the  royal  cause  removed 
with  the  army,  and  transported  their  effects 
with  them  to  Halifax.  Several  pieces  of  heavy 
ordnance  were  found,  many  of  which  the  enemy 
had  rendered  useless  by  knocking  off  the  trun- 
nions, and  the  residue  were  spiked  up.  Other 
stores  were  also  left,  though  not  to  a  very  con- 
siderable amount. 


300  THE  LIFE  -OP 

CHAPTER  V. 

Invasion  of  Canada  meditated.... The  Americans  enter 
that  province... .Siege  of  St.  Johns. ...Capture  of  fort 
'Chamblee....Carleton  defeated  at  Longueisle....St.  Johns 
capitulates. ...Montreal surrenders. ...Arnold's  expedition 
by  the  way  of  the  Kennebec....He  arrives  before  Quebec 
....And  retires  to  Point  Aux  Trembles.. ..Montgomery 
lays  siege  to  Quebec.. ..Unsuccessful  attack  on  that  place 
....Death  of  Montgomery.... Blockade  of  Quebec  conti- 
nued....General  Thomas  takes  command  of  the  army.... 
The  blockade  of  Quebec  is  raised.. ..General  Sullivan 
takes  the  command.. ..Battle  of  the  Three  Rivers.... 
Canada  evacuated. 

1775.  vVlIILST  these  transactions  were  passing  in 
Boston,  other  events  of  deep  and  serious 
interest  to  both  parties,  took  place  still  further 
to  the  north. 

Great  dissatisfaction  prevailed  in  Canada. 
The  Quebec  act,  and  other  measures  of  admi- 
nistration, had  disquieted  the  British  settlers, 
without  attaching  to  government,  either  the 
Indian  or  French  inhabitants.  Believing  that 
province  to  be  in  a  state  of  most  perfect 
security,  it  had  been  left  almost  entirely 
undefended :  and  the  regular  troops  on  the 
continent  of  America,  had  been  chiefly  drawn 
to  Boston.  At  the  same  time,  Quebec  was 
known  to  be  a  place  of  deposit  for  military 
stores  to  an  immense  amount,  and  it  was  also 
known  that  great  efforts  were  making  to  con- 
ciliate  the  Canadians  and  Indians,  in  order  to 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

promote  an  invasion  .of  the  United  Colonies  CHAP.V. 
from  that  quarter.  They  had  heretofore  re-  1775. 
sisted  those  endeavours,  but  there  was  much 
reason  to  believe  that,  if  not  counteracted,  the 
designs  of  the  administration,  when  supported 
by  a  strong  military  force,  would  prevail.  The 
possession  of  that  country  was  believed  to  be 
all  important  to  either  party,  and  it  was  thought 
that  its  present  temper  was  such  as  to  render 
it  probable,  that  its  weight  would  be  thrown 
into  the  scale  of  those,  who  should  first  show 
in  it  a  force  sufficient  for  the  protection  of  its 
inhabitants.  The  facility  with  which  Crown 
Point  and  Ticonderoga  had  been  taken,  and 
the  perfect  command  of  the  lakes  George  and 
Champlain  acquired,  added  to  the  motives 
already  stated,  inspired  congress  with  the 
daring  design  of  anticipating  the  plans  medi- 
tated against  them  in  that  province,  by  taking 
possession  of  Canada. 

So  early  as  the  month  of  June  1775,  a  reso-  invasion 

.  .    .  .         .  of  Canada 

iution  passed  that  body,  directing  general  meditated. 
Schuyler  to  repair  to  Ticonderoga,  and  to  take 
the  proper  measures  for  securing  that  post  and 
Crown  Point,  and  for  retaining  the  entire  com- 
mand of  the  lakes.  He  was  at  the  same  time 
authorized,  if  he  should  find  it  practicable,  and 
not  disagreeable  to  the  Canadians,  to  take  pos- 
session of  St.  Johns  and  Montreal,  and  to  pur- 
sue any  other  measures  in  Canada,  which 
might  have  a  tendency  to  promote  the  peace 
and  security  of  the  United  Colonies. 


302  THE  LIFE  OF 

Near  three  thousand  men  from  New  England 
1775.  and  New  York,  to  be  commanded,  under 
major  general  Schuyler,  'by  brigadiers  Wooster 
and  Montgomery,  were  designed  for  this  ser- 
vice, and  a  number  of  batteaux  were  directed 
to  be  built  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point, 
to  convey  the  troops  along  lake  Champlain  into 
the  neighbourhood  of  Canada.  But  the  infor- 
mation possessed  by  congress  on  this  subject, 
was  not  such  as  to  justify  them  in  deciding 
absolutely  on  the  expedition,  and  therefore, 
their  resolution  left  much  to  the  discretion  of 
general  Schuyler,  on  whose  talents  and  attach- 
ment to  their  cause,  the  highest  confidence 
was  very  deservedly  placed. 

Congress  had  inade  great  exertions  to  faci- 
litate,this  expedition.  Fifty  thousand  dollars 
in  specie  were  voted  for  the  expense  of  the 
army  in  Canada,  and  the  convention  of  New 
York  was  urged  to  hurry  on  the  troops  designed 
for  that  service. 

General  Schuyler,  whoi  was  at  New  York 
when  this  important  command  was  confided  to 
him,  hastened  to  Ticonderoga,  in  order  to 
make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  the  con- 
templated expedition. 

The  troops  of  that  department,  belonging  to 
Different  colonies,  stationed  at  different  places, 
acknowledging  no  one  commanding  officer, 
were  found  in  a  state  of  entire  disorganization,. 
The  stores  were  misapplied,  or  wasted ;  no  sort 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  SOS 

of  subordination  or  camp  discipline  was  ob-  CHAP- v- 
served  ;   and  it  can  scarcely  be  doubted  that,     1775. 
had  the  enemy  been  in  a  condition  to  attempt 
a   surprise,     Ticonderoga    and    Crown    Point 
would  have  been  lost  with  as  much  facility  as 
they  had  been  acquired.* 

The  intelligence  from  Canada  which  had 
been  forwarded  to  congress,  confirmed  the 
reports  before  received,  of  the  weakness  of 
the  regular  troops  by  which  that  province  was 
defended ;  of  the  great  exertions  of  governor 
Carlton  to  engage  the  Canadians,  and  the 


*  The  situation  of  the  troops  is  thus  described  by  general 
Schuyler  in  a  letter1  from  Ticonderoga,  of  the  18th  July, 
to  general  Washington. 

"  You  Avill  expect  that  I  should  ,say  something  about 
this  place  and  the  troops  here.  Not  one  earthly  thing  for 
offence  or  defence  has  been  done.  The  commanding  officer 
had  710  orders,  he  only  came  to  re-enforce  the  garrison,  and 
he  exficcted  the  general.  About  ten,  last  night,  I  arrived 
at  the  landing  place,  the  north  end  of  lake  George,  a 
fort  occupied  by  a  captain  and  one  hundred  naen.  A  cen- 
tinel,  on  being  informed  I  was  in  the  boat,  quitted  his 
post  to  go  and  awake  the  guard  consisting  of  three  men, 
in  which  he  had  no  success.  I  walked  up  and  came  to 
another,  a  Serjeant's  guard.  Here  the  centinel  challenged, 
but  suffered  me  to  come  up  to  him,  the  whole  guard  like 
the  first,  in  the  soundest  sleep.  I  could  have  cut  off  both 
guards,  and  then  have  set  fire  to  the  blockhouse,  destroyed 
the  stores,  and  starved  the  people  here.  But  I  hope  to 
get  the  better  of  this  inattention.  The  officers  and  men 
are  all  good  looking  people,  and  I  really  believe  will  make 
good  soldiers,  as  soon  as  I  can  get  the  better  of  this  non 
chalance  of  theirs." 


304  THE  LIFE  Oi 

CHAP,  v.  Indians,  to  take  up  arms  and  invade  the  United 
1775.  Colonies,  and  of  their  unwillingness  to  do  so ; 
but  the  opinion  was  still  maintained,  that  unless 
the  colonists  showed  a  sufficient  force  in  that 
country,  to  give  confidence  and  security  to 
their  friends,  the  machinations  of  the  governor 
would  ultimately  prevail. 

In  consequence  of  this  intelligence,  the  orders 
to  general  Schuyler  were  made  unconditional, 
and  he  was  directed  positively  to  enter  Canada. 
He  commenced,  and  assiduously  prosecuted 
the  task  of  preparing  vessels  for  the  transport- 
ation of  the  troops;  a  task  the  more  laborious 
and  tedious,  as  the  timber  for  the  batteaux  was 
then  to  be  procured  from  the  woods.  Before 
the  preparations  were  complete,  or  the  troops 
destined  for  the  expedition  had  a-1  assembled, 
the  impatience  expressed  by  their  friends  in 
Canada,  and  some  information  which  was 
received  of  a  vessel  of  force  soon  to  be  launched 
at  St.  Johns,  on  .the  river  Sorel,  in  order  to  enter 
the  lakes,  rendered  an  immediate  movement 
advisable.  .General  Schuyler  had  returned  td& 
Albany  to  .hole!  a  congress  \vith  the  Indians, 
whose  dispositions  were  \  cry  justly  suspected 
to  be  hostile,,  when  this  intelligence  was  com- 
municated £o  him  by  general  Montgomery,  an 
officer  of  very  distinguished  merit  then  at 

September^  Crown  Point.    Ordi  immediately  given 

him  to  embark  with  the  troops  then  in  readiness; 
and    general    Schuyier,    having    directed    the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  3Q5 

expected  re -enforcements  to  rendezvous  at  the  CHAP.V. 
Isle  aux  Noix,  twelve  miles  south  of  St.  Johns,     1775. 
followed  Montgomery,  and  joined  him  before 
he  reached  that  place. 

Circular  letters  to  the  Canadians,  exhorting  TheAmeri- 

o  cans  enter 

them  to  rouse  and  assert  their  liberties,   and that Province 
declaring   that   the    Americans    entered    their 
country  as  friends  and  protectors,   and  not  as 
enemies,   were  immediately  dispersed  among 
them;    and,    believing    that    they    would    be 
encouraged   thereby,    it   was    determined    to 
advance  directly  on  to  St.  Johns.  The  American 
force,  amounting  to  about  one  thousand  men, 
entirely  destitute  of  artillery,  embarked  on  the 
Sorel  on  the  sixth,   and  proceeding  towards 
St.  Johns,  landed  within  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  of  that  place,  in  a  swamp,  from  whence 
they  marched  in  order,  towards  the  fort,  for  the 
purpose  of  reconnoitring  its  situation.     On  the 
march  they  were  suddenly  attacked  by  a  body 
of  Indians  whom  they  dispersed;   after  which, 
they    threw    up    a    small    intrenchment,     and 
encamped  for  flie  night.    The  intelligence  re- 
ceived at  this  place  respecting  the  situation  of 
•  St.  Johns,  and  of  the  .vessels  preparing  to  enter 
lake  Champlam,  determined  them  to  return  to 
the    Isle  aux   Noix,   there    to   wait   for   their 
remaining   troops''  and    artillery ;  •  and    in   the 
mean  time,  to  secure  the  entrant^  of  the  lakes. 

The  Isle  aux  Noix  lies  at  the  function  of  the 
Sorel  with  lake   Champlam;   otf&,  to   prevent 

VOL.  ii.  R  r 


306  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.V.  the  armed  vessels  at  St.  Johns  from  entering 
1775.     the  latter,  a  boom  was  drawn  across  the  chan- 
nel which  is  narrow  at  that  place. 

General  Schuyler,  who  had  been  for  some 
time  much  indisposed,  became  now  so  exces- 
sively ill,  as  to  be  unable  to  leave  his  bed; 
and  the  command  devolved  on  Montgomery. 

Mr.  Livingston,  a  gentleman  residing  on  the 
river  Chamblee,  who  was  very  strongly  attached 
to  the  American  cause,  and  had  rendered  it 
great  service,  pressed  so  earnestly  for  a  detach- 
ment from  the  army,  to  cut  off  the  communi- 
cation between  St.  Johns  and  La  Prairie,  that 
a  party  was  ordered  out  for  that  service.  But 
it  was  seized  with  one  of  those  panics  to  which 
raw  troops  are  peculiarly  liable,  and  without 
having  seen  any  real  danger,  they  fled  precipi- 
tately back  to  camp. 

Livingston,  in  the  mean  time,  counting  on 
the  aid  for  which  he  had  applied,  had  assem- 
bled about  three  hundred  Canadian  volunteers, 
and  grew  extremely  apprehensive  of  being  left 
exposed  to  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy. 

Montgomery,  flattered  himself  that  his  troops, 
ashamed  of  their  late  misconduct,  were  deter-  • 
mined  to  retrieve  their  reputation;   and  as  the 
artillery  and  expected  re -enforcements  had  now- 
arrived,  he  again  embarked  his  army  consist- 
sept.25.    ing  of  mot  quite  two  thousand   men,  on  the 
siege  of       Sorel,  and  proceeded  to  invest  fort  St.  Johns. 
This  place  was  garrisoned  by  five  or  six  him- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.^  307 

dred  regulars,  with  about  two  hundred  Canadian  CHAP,  v. 
militia,   and  was  well  provided  with  artillery     1775. 
and  military  stores.     The  army  of  Canada,  as 
well  as  the  other  armies  of  the  United  Colonies, 
was  almost  entirely  without  powder;   and  of 

consequence,    the    siege    progressed    slo\vly.  

Their  necessities  in  this  respect  were  fortu-  0ctobcT- 
nately  relieved  by  the  capture  of  fort  Chamblee,  ^S^u«e 
which  being  supposed  to  be  covered  by  fort 
St.  Johns,  was  not  in  a  defensible  condition. 
This  post  was  suddenly  attacked,  and  carried 
by  a  detachment  consisting  of  about  fifty  United 
Colonists  under  major  Brown,  and  three  hun- 
dred Canadians  under  major  Livingston.  The 
garrison  became  prisoners  of  war,  and  some 
pieces  of  artillery  were  taken;  but  the  most 
valuable  acquisition  made  at  this  place,  was 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty  barrels  of  gun 
powder,  which  enabled  the  American  general 
to  proceed  with  vigour  against  St.  Johns. 
Though  the  only  person  in  his  camp  possessing 
any  military  experience,  he  was  overruled  in 
his  plans  by  his  field  officers;  and  with  extreme 
mortification  declared  in  one  of  his  letters  to 
general  Schuyler,  that  the  place  could  not 
be  taken  until  it  should  surrender  for  want  of 
provisions;  and  that,  if  he  did  not  fear  the 
public  service  might  suffer,  he  would  not  stay  °ctober13- 
one  hour  longer  at  the  head  of  troops  whose 
operations  he  could  not  direct.  The  garrison 
defended  themselves  with  resolution,  and  in- 
nr  2 


308  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  v.  dulged    for    some    time    the    hope    of   being 
1775.    relieved." 

Colonel  M'Clean,  a  veteran  officer,  had 
exerted  himself  to  raise  a  Scotch  regiment, 
under  the  title  of  royal  highland  emigrants,  to 
be  composed  of  the  natives  of  that  country,  who 
had  lately  arrived  in  America,  and  who,  in 
consequence  of  the  troubles,  had  not  obtained 
settlements.  With  these  and  a  few  hundred 
Canadians,  the  colonel  was  posted  near  the 
junction  of  the  Sorel  with  the  St.  Lawrrence; 
general  Carleton  was  at  Montreal,  where  with 
great  difficulty  he  had  collected  about  a  thou- 
sand men,  chiefly  Canadians.  Among  them 
Were  some  regulars  and  volunteers,  and  several 
British  officers.  At  the  head  of  these  troops 
he  hoped  to  effect  a  junction  with  M'Clean, 
after  which  he  designed  to  march  with  his 
whole  force  against  Montgomery,  and  endea- 
vour to  raise  the  siege ;  but  on  attempting  to 
cross  over  from  Montreal,  he  was  encountered 

carkton      and  entirely  defeated  at  Lonsrueisle  by  a  detach- 

defeatedat  •  .  J 

Longueisie.  ment  of  the  American  troops  under  colonel 
Warner.  Another  party  advanced  on  M'Clean 
who,  being  entirely  abandoned  by  his  Cana- 
dians, so  soon  as  they  were  informed  of  the 
defeat  of  the  governor,  and  having  also  received 
information  that  Arnold  was  approaching  point 
Levy,  precipitately  retreated  to  Quebec.  The 

P  Annual  Register. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  309 

Americans  occupied  the  post  he  had  abandoned  CHAP- v- 
and  immediately  erected  batteries  on  a  point     1775. 
of  land  at  the  junction  of  the  Sorel  with  the  St. 
Lawrence,  where  they  also  constructed  several 
armed  rafts  and  floating  batteries,  to  prevent 
Carleton  with  the  vessels    at   Montreal  from 
escaping  down  the  river. 

Montgomery,  who,  notwithstanding  the  dif- 
ficulties he  experienced  from  his  troops,  was 
pressing  the  siege  of  St.  Johns  with  great 
vigour,  had  advanced  his  works  very  near  the 
fort,  when  the  account  of  the  success  at  Lon- 
gueisle  reached  him.  On  receipt  of  this  intelli- 
gence, he  permitted  one  of  the  prisoners  to  go 
into  the  fort,  with  whom  he  sent  in  a  flag,  and 
a  letter  to  major  Preston,  the  commanding 
officer,  requiring  him  to  surrender,  and  thereby 
prevent  the  further  effusion  of  blood,  which 
must  necessarily  be  occasioned  by  a  fruitless 
and  obstinate  resistance.  All  hopes  of  relief 
havinar  now  vanished,  and  having"  endeavoured st- Johns 

capitulates. 

in  vain   to   obtain    some    clelav,   the    garrison  r 

•'  November  3. 

capitulated,  on  being  allowed,  in  consideration 

of  their  brave  defence  of  the  place,  the  honours 
of  war. 

Scarcely  was  this  first  success  obtained  when 
the  fatal  consequences  of  short  inlistments 
began  to  discover  themselves.  The  time  of 
service  for  which  the  troops  had  engaged  being 
now  near  expiring,  great  difficulty  was  experi- 
enced in  prevailing  on  them  to  proceed  further, 


310  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.V.  and  the  general  was  under  the  necessity  of 
1775.  stipulating  explicitly,  that  all  who  wished  it, 
should  be  discharged  at  Montreal,  before  he 
could  induce  them  even  to  march  against  that 
place.  Having  effected  this  compromise  with 
them,  he  proceeded  against  Montreal,  while 
his  floating  batteries,  under  colonel  Easton, 
advanced  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  not  only 
effectually  prevented  the  armed  vessels  of  the 
enemy  from  making  the  escape  they  had  pro- 
jected to  Quebec,  but  drove  them  from  their 
anchors  still  higher  up  the  river. 

Montreal  Montreal    was    not    in    a   condition    to   be 

surrenders. 

defended.  Montgomery,  after  engaging  to 
allow  the  Canadians  their  own  laws,  the  free 
exercise  of  their  religion,  and  the  privilege  of 
November^,  governing  themselves,  took  peaceable  posses- 
sion of  the  town;  and  governor  Carleton  retired 
to  his  flotilla.  While  preparations  were  making 
to  attack  the  vessels  with  the  floating  batteries 
under  colonel  Easton,  aided  by  some  boats 
from  Montreal  carrying  a  few  field  pieces,  and 
their  destruction  was  considered  as  certain,  the 
governor  was  conveyed  in  a  boat  with  muffled 
oars  down  the  river,  in  a  dark  night,  and  made 
his  escape  to  Quebec.  The  fleet  soon  after- 
wards surrendered,  and  the  general  prepared, 
with  the  utmost  expedition,  to  proceed  with 
the  few  troops  who  were  willing  to  follow  him, 
to  the  capital  of  Canada. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  311 

At  Montreal  he  found,  to  his  extreme  morti-   CHAP.V. 
fication,   that  his  promise   to  discharge  them     1775. 
was    claimed   by    many   of  his    soldiers.     He 
offered  a  suit  of  the  clothes  taken  with  that 
town,  to  those  who  would  engage  to  serve  only 
until  the  15th  day  of  April;  but  they  could  not 
be,  generally,  prevailed  on  to  re-inlist.     These 
untoward  circumstances  only  stimulated  their 
gallant  leader  to  more  vigorous  exertions.     In 
a  letter  to  general  Schuyler  of  the  17th  of  No- 
vember, he  says,  "  I  have  had  great  difficulties 
about  the  troops.     I  am  afraid  many  of  them 
will    go    home;    however,   depending   on   my 
good  fortune,   I  hope  to  keep  enough  to  give 
the   final  blow  to   ministerial   politics  in  this 
province;  and  I  hope  effectual  measures  will  be 
taken  to  prevent  their  laying  hold  of  it  again." 
It  was  necessary  to  leave  a  sufficient  number 
of  his  small  corps  at  Montreal,  St.  Johns,  and 
Chamblee,  to  garrison  those  places,  keep  open 
the  communication  between  Quebec  and  the 
United  Colonies,  preserve  the  dependence  of 
the  Canadians,  overawe  the  Indians,  and  hold 
in  check  the  garrisons  above  him  at  Detroit  and 
Niagara.     When  these  essential  objects  were 
provided  for  with  the  utmost  possible  economy 
of  men,  they  yet  formed  such  deductions  from 
his  force,  as  to  leave  but  little  more  than  three 
hundred  men  to  follow  their  general  in  the  en- 
terprise  against  Quebec. 


312  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  v.  General  Washington,  foreseeing  that  the 
1775.  whole  force  of  Canada  would  be  concentrated 
about  Montreal,  had  projected  an  expedition 
August,  against  Quebec,  by  a  detachment  from  his 
camp  before  Boston,  which  was  to  march  by 
the  way  of  Kennebec  river,  and  passing  through 
the  dreary  wilderness  lying  between  the  settled 
parts  of  Maine,  and  the  St.  Lawrence,  and 
crossing  the  rugged  mountains,  and  deep  mo- 
rasses, which  abound  in  that  country,  to  pene- 
trate into  Canada  about  ninety  miles  below 
Montreal. 

The  object  proposed  by  this  hardy  enterprise 
was,  either  to  compel  Carleton,  whose  force 
would  not  admit  of  a  division,  to  draw  his  troops 
from  the  upper  country,  and  thereby  open  an 
easy  passage  to  the  army  invading  the  province 
by  the  way  of  the  river  Sorel ;  or,  if  he  should 
maintain  that  position,  to  take  possession  of 
Quebec;  which,  all  his  accounts  assured  him, 
was  absolutely  unable  to  hold  out  against  the 
force  which  would  appear  before  it;  and  if 
attacked  by  an  American  army  before  the  return 
of  Carleton,  would  surrender  without  firing  a 
shot. 

This  arduous  enterprise  was  committed  to 
colonel  Arnold.  .  About  a  thousand  men,  con- 
sisting of  New  England  infantry,  some  volun- 
teers,* a  company  of  artillery  under  a  captain 

*  Colonel  Burr,  since  vice  president  of  the  United  States, 
was  of  this  number. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  3^3 

Lamb,  and  three  companies  of  riflemen,'  were  CHAP. v. 
selected  for  the  service.  \775. 

Notwithstanding:  the  unremitting  exertions  Arnold's 

expedition 

of  the  general,  the  delays  in  expediting  them,  |$d£fr*y 
occasioned  by  the  derangements  of  the  army,  Kennebec- 
were  such,  that  they  could  not  commence  their 
march  until  about  the  middle  of  September. 

The  success  of  this  expedition  very  much 
depended  on  the  friendly  temper  of  the  province, 
and  the  instructions  given  to  Arnold  inculcated, 
with  great  care,  the  cultivation  of  a  good  un- 
derstanding with  the  Canadians.  They  even 
enjoined  him  to  abandon  the  enterprise,  if 
this  sudden  invasion  of  their  country  should 
threaten  to  irritate  them,  and  induce  them  to 
take  up  arms  against  the  United  Colonies. 
He  was  also  particularly  directed  to  use  the 
utmost  possible  expedition ;  to  keep  up  a  cor- 
respondence with  the  upper  army,  which  it  was 
hoped  might  be  effected  by  means  of  the  St. 
Francois  Indians ;  and  to  keep  the  general 
himself  regularly  informed  of  every  event  of 
importance,  which  should  occur.  He  was 
furnished  with  about  one  thousand  pounds  in 
specie  to  defray  contingent  expenses,  and  with 

•••  *  gt." 

a  cargo  of  manifestos  to  be  dispersed  through 
Canada. 

The  letter  accompanying  these  orders  is 
strongly  indicative  of  the  impressions  which 
had  been  received  of  the  dispositions  of  the 

VOL.  ir.  s  s 


314  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.V.   Canadians,  as  well  as  of  the  importance  attri- 
1775.    buted  to  that  province  in  the  existing  war. 

"  You  are,"  said  the  general,  "  intrusted 
with  a  command  of  the  utmost  consequence  to 
the  interest  and  liberties  of  America;  upon 
your  conduct  and  courage,  and  that  of  the  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  detached  on  this  expedition, 
not  only  the  success  of  the  present  enterprise, 
and  your  own  honour,  but  the  safety  and  wel- 
fare of  the  whole  continent,  may  depend.  I 
charge  you,  therefore,  and  the  officers  and  sol- 
diers under  your  command,  as  you  value  your 
own  safety  and  honour,  and  the  favour  and 
esteem  of  your  country,  that  you  consider  your- 
selves as  inarching  not  through  an  enemy's 
country,  but  that  of  your  friends  and  brethren ; 
for  such  the  inhabitants  of  Canada,  and  the 
Indian  nations  haye  approved  themselves,  in 
this  unhappy  contest  between  Great  Britain  and 
America.  That  you  check  by  every  motive 
of  duty  and  fear  of  punishment,  every  attempt 
to  plunder  and  insult  the  inhabitants  of  Canada. 
Should  any  American  soldier  be  so  base  and 
infamous,  as  to  injure  any  Canadian  or  Indian, 
in  his  person  or  property,  I  do  most  earnestly 
enjoin  you  to  bring  him  to  such  severe  and 
exemplary  punishment,  as  the  enormity  of  the 
crime  may  require;  should  it  extend  to  deatbf 
itself,  it  will  not  be  disproportionate  to  its 
guilt,  at  such  a  time,  and  in  such  a  cause. 
But  I  hope  and  itrust  that  the  brave  men  who 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

have  voluntarily  engaged  in  this  expedition  will  CHAP,  v 
be  governed  by  far  different  views:  that  their  1775. 
order,  discipline,  and  regularity  of  behaviour 
will  be  as  conspicuous  as  their  valour:  I  also 
give  it  in  charge  to  you,  to  avoid  all  disrespect 
to  and  contempt  of  the  religion  of  the  country, 
and  its  ceremonies.  Prudence,  policy,  and  a 
true  Christian  spirit,  will  lead  us  to  look  with 
compassion  on  their  errors,  without  insulting 
them.  While  we  are  contending  for  our  own 
liberty,  we  should  be  very  cautious  of  violating 
the  rights  of  conscience  in  others,  and  should 
ever  consider  that  God  alone  is  the  judge  of  the 
hearts  of  men,  and  to  him- only,  in  this  case, 
they  are  answerable. 

"  Upon  the  whole,  sir,  I  beg  you  to  inculcate 
on  the  officers  and  soldiers,  the  necessity  of 
preserving  the  strictest  order  during  their 
march  through  Canada.  To  represent  to  them 
the  shame,  disgrace,  and  ruin  to  themselves 
and  country,  if  they  should  by  their  conduct 
turn  the  hearts  of  our  brethren  in  Canada 
against  us.  And  on  the  other  hand,  the  honour 
and  rewards  which  await  them,  if  by  their  pru- 
dence and  good  behaviour,  they  conciliate  the 
affections  of  the  Canadians  and  Indians  to  the 
great  interests  of  America,  and  convert  those 
favourable  dispositions  they  have  shown,  into 
a  lasting  union." 

The  opinion  which  had  been  formed  of  the 
favourable  dispositions  of  the  Canadians,  was 


., 


316  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.V.  not  disappointed  by  the  event.  They  gave 
1775.  essential  aid  to  the  Americans,  and  very  much 
facilitated  their  march  through  that  province. 
But  the  previous  difficulties  to  be  surmounted 
were  much  greater  than  had  been  apprehended. 
The  country  had  never  been  well  explored, 
and  it  opposed  obstacles  to  the  march,  which 
only  perseverance  like  that  of  Arnold,  and  hie 
brave  and  hardy  followers  could  have  conquered. 
Colonel  Enos  who  commanded  the  rear  division, 
consisting  of  one  third  of  the  detachment,  re- 
turned from  the  Dead  river,  a  branch  of  Kenne- 
bec,  with  his  men;  and,  though  his  appearance 
excited,  at  first,  the  utmost  indignation  in  the 
army;  yet,  on  being  arrested,  he  was  acquitted 
by  a  court  martial,  on  the  principle,  that  it  was 
absolutely  impracticable  to  obtain  provisions 
on  the  route  sufficient  to  preserve  the  troops 
from  perishing  with  famine. 

Arnold  who  at  the  head  of  the  two  first  divi- 
sions still  prosecuted  his  march,  was  thirty-two 
days  traversing  a  hideous  wilderness,  without 
seeing  a  house  or  any  thing  human.  The 
troops  were  under  the  necessity  of  hauling  their 
batteaux  up  rapid  streams,  of  taking  them  upon 
their  shoulders,  with  all  their  provisions,  across 
carrying  places ;  and  of  traversing,  and  fre- 
quently repassing,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing 
their  baggage,  deep  morasses,  thick  woods, 
and  high  mountains.  These  impediments, 
notwithstanding  the  zealous  and  wonderfully 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  317 

persevering  exertions  of  his  men,  so  protracted  CHAP,  v. 
his  march,  that,  though  he  had  expected  cer-     1775. 
tainly   to   enter  Canada  about  the    middle    of 
October,  he  did  not  reach  the  first  settlements 
on  the  Chaudiere,  which  empties    itself  into 
the  St.  Lawrence  near  Quebec,  until  the  third 
of  November. 

On  the  high  grounds  which  separate  the 
waters  of  the  Kemfebec  from  those  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  the  scanty  remnant  of  provisions 
was  divided  among  the  companies,  each  of 
which  was  directed,  without  attempting  to  pre- 
serve any  connexion  with  another,  to  march 
with  the  utmost  possible  celerity  into  the  inha- 
bited country.  Whilst  those  who  gained  the 
front,  were  yet  thirty  miles  from  the  first  poor 
and  scattered  habitations  which  composed  that 
frontier  of  Canada,  their  last  morsel  of  food 
was  consumed.  But  preceded  by  Arnold, 
who  went  forward  for  the  purpose  of  procuring 
for  them  something  which  might  satisfy  the 
first  demands  of  nature,  the  troops  still  perse- 
vered in  their  labours,  with  a  vigour  unim- 
paired by  the  hardships  they  had  encountered, 
until  they  once  more  found  themselves  in 
regions  frequented  by  human  beings. 

After  a  march  of  such  unexampled  fatigue, 
no  further  time  was  allowed  for  repose,  than 
was  barely  sufficient  to  collect  the  rear,  which 
was  greatly  scattered,  and  to  refresh  the  men  ; 
during  which  time  the  address  signed  by 'gene- 


318  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP-  v-  ral  Washington  was  published,  and  every 
1775.  assurance  given  to  the  people,  that  they  came 
to  protect,  and  not  to  plunder  them.  The  line 
of  march  was  resumed,  and  on  the  ninth  of 
November,  this  gallant  corps  reached  point 
Levi,  opposite  Quebec. 

ibreariuebec?'  Tne  town  was  almost  entirely  without  a 
garrison;  and  nothing  could  exceed  the  asto- 
nishment of  the  inhabitants.  They  would 
almost  as  soon  have  expected  to  see  an  army 
descending  from  the  clouds,  as  emerging  from 
the  hideous  wilderness  through  which  this 
hardy  detachment  had  made  its  \yay.  Could 
Arnold  have  immediately  crossed  the  St.  Law- 
rence, and  availed  himself  of  their  first  con- 
sternation, it  is  believed  to  be  certain  that  he 
might  have  entered  the  place  without  opposi- 
tion ;  but  a  very  high  wind,  and  the  want  of 
boats,  rendered  the  passage  of  the  river  impos- 
sible. 

One  of  his  Indian  messengers,  dispatched 
with  letters  to  general  Schuyler,  had  either 
betrayed  him,  or  been  intercepted ;  whereby, 
intelligence  of  his  approach  was  communicated 
to  colonel  M 'Clean,  then  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Sorel ;  and  that  experienced  officer,  trembling  for 
the  capital  of  the  province,  immediately  deter- 
mined to  throw  himself  into  it,  and  endeavour 
to  defend  it.  In  the  mean  time,  the  winds 
for  several  nights  continued  so  high  as  to  ren- 
der the  passage  of  the  river  in  the  canoes  col* 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


lected  from  the  people  of  the   country,    and  CHAP.V. 
found  on  the  southern  bank,  too  hazardous  to     1775. 
be  attempted;  and  it  was  only  in  the  night  that 
the  Americans  could  hope  to  cross,  because  the 
Lizard  frigate  had  anchored  opposite  the  town, 
and  three  other  armed  vessels  of  smaller  size, 

were  distributed  in  different  stations,  so  as  to 

7 

guard  the  river  for  some  distance  above  Wolfe's 
cove.  Armed  boats  were  also  employed  to  ply 
around  the  ships,  and  thus  the  passage  of  the 
river,  even  in  the  night,  had  become,  a  very 
critical  operation.  Whilst  the  Americans  were 
thus  unavoidably  detained,  colonel  M'Clean, 
with  his  corps  of  emigrants  entered  the  city. 

At  length  the  wind  moderated,  and  Arnold, 
leaving  behind  him  about  a  hundred  and  fifty 
men  to  make  ladders,  determined  to  attempt 


the  river.  Eluding  the  armed  vessels,  and  Fourteenth. 
conquering  a  very  rapid  current,  he,  with  infi- 
nite difficulty  and  danger,  crossed  over  in  the  - 
night,  and  landed  the  van  of  his  little  army 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  above  the  place,  which 
is  rendered  so  very  memorable  by  the  debarka- 
tion of  general  Wolfe  in  the  year  1759.  The 
passage  of  the  rugged  cliffs  which  continue  on 
the  northern  bank  of  thgf  St.  Lawrence,  for 
some  distance  above  Quebec,  being  at  this 
place  absolutely  impracticable,  he  marched 
down  on  the  shore,  to  Wolfe's  cove ;  and 
ascending  with  his  band  o£  hardy  followers, 
the  same  precipice  whicnTnad  opposed  such 


320  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  v.  obstacles  to  the  British  hero,  he  too,  formed 
1775.    his  .->mall  corps  on  the  heights  near  the  plains 
of  Abri;:inm. 

The  dangerous  and  difficult  operations  of 
crossing  the  river  in  canoes,  whilst  the  pas- 
sage was  so  vigilantly  guarded  by  ships  of  war, 
and  gaining  the  almost  perpendicular  heights 
of  the  opposite  shore,  were  completed  by  the 
advance  party,  consisting  of  the  rifle  companies, 
soon  after  midnight.  It"  was  necessary  to  wait 
for  the  residue  of  the  detachment,  and  in  the 
mean  time,  a  council  of  all  the  officers  was 
held  for  the  purpose  of  determining  on  their 
future  measures.  Lieutenants  Humphries  and 
Heth,  of  Morgan's  company  of  Virginia  rifle- 
men, who  had  been  detached  towards  the  town 
for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitring  the  enemy, 
reported  that  they  had  perceived  the  centinels, 
who  seemed  alert  at  their  posts,  and  who  chal- 
lenged them  on  their  approach.  Neither  this 
intelligence,  nor  the  circumstance  of  their 
having,  while  on  the  river  shore,  fired  int 
barge  making  from  the  harbour  to  the  Lizard 
sloop  of  war,  nor  the  situation  of  his  ; 
who  were  nci:  pcrb"  supplied  with  bayo- 

nets, spears,  or  ammunition,  deterred  Arnold 
from  proposing  in  tykncil,  to  march  imm« 
ately  agai  >ec.      lie  counted  on  surpris- 

ing the  pracS^id  finding  the  gates  open. 

But  thi.^  opinion,   which  was  not  very  ear- 

d.     After  having 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  32 \ 

shown  themselves  on  point  Levi ;  and  having  CHAP.-*. 
fired  from  the  northern  shore  into  a  barge  1775. 
which  immediately  returned  towards  the  har- 
bour; and  after  the  report  of  their  reconnoit- 
ring party;  the  expectation  of  finding  the  gar- 
rison entirely  off  its  guard,  was  deemed  too 
much  against  every  probability  to  be  in  any 
degree  calculated  on.  Yet  subsequent  infor- 
mation assured  them  that,  notwithstanding 
these  appearances.,  the  gate  called  St.  Johns 
was  then  open,  at  which  the  town  might 
undoubtedly  have  been  entered.  From  some 
unaccountable  negligence,  no  report  was  made 
to  the  governor  by  the  crew  of  the  boat  which 
had  been  fired  into,  until  the  next  day;  and  no 
suspicion  was  entertained  that  Arnold  had 
crossed  the  river. 

.  Though  disappointed  in  the  expectation  of 
surprising  Quebec,  Arnold  did  not  immedi- 
ately relinquish  the  hope  of  obtaining  posses- 
sion of  that  important  place.  Not  superior  to 
the  enemy  in  point  of  numbers,  and  without  a 
single  piece  of  artillery,  or  other  implements 
for  a  siege,  he  was  obviously  incapable  of  acting 
offensively ;  but  he  flattered  himself  that  a 
defection  in  the  garrison  might  yet  put  the 
capital  of  Canada  into  his  hands.  With  this 
view,  he  paraded  on  the  -heights,  near  the 
town,  for  some  days  ;  and  sent  two  flags  to 
summon  it  to  surrender.  But  the  presence  of 
colonel  M'Clean,  an  experienced  and  vigilant 
VOL.  u.  T  t 

4 


<JOO  THE  LIFE  OF 

\J  +**-* 

CHAP.V.  officer,  and  who  was  indefatigable  in  making 
1775.  arrangements  for  the  defence  of  the  town, 
restrained  those  measures  which  the  fears  of 
the  inhabitants  dictated.  Deeming  it  unsafe 
to  admit  of  any  communication  with  the  assail- 
ants, he  refused  to  receive  the  flag,  and  fired 
on  the  officer  who  bore  it.  Intelligence,  too, 
was  soon  obtained,  that  the  first  alarm  was 
visibly  wearing  off,  and  giving  place  to  other 
sentiments  unfavourable  to  the  hopes  of  the 
assailants.  Fears  for  the  vast  property  con- 
tained in  the  town,  soon  united  the  disaffected; 
and  they  were,  at  their  own  request,  embodied 
and  armed.  The  sailors  too  were  landed,  and 
placed  at  the  batteries;  and  by  these  means  the 
garrison  had  become  more  numerous  than  the 
American  army. 

Arnold,  whose  numbers,  after  collecting 
those  he  had  left  on  the  south  side  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  did  not  now  exceed  seven  hundred 
men,  was  in  no  condition  to  risk  an  action. 
In  his  laborious,  and  almost  unparalleled  march 
through  the  wilderness,  nearly  one  third  of  his 
muskets  had  been  rendered  useless ;  and  his 
ammunition  was  found  upon  examination,  to 
have  sustained  such  damage,  that  his  riflemen 
had  not  more  than  ten,  nor  his  other  troops  more 

than  sntaspunds  per  man.     In  this  hazardous 

-  • 
situation,  he  was  informed,  that  a  body  of  two 

hundred  men,  who  had-escaped  from  Montreal, 
were  descending  the  river;  and  that  M' Clean 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  323 

intended  making  a  sortie  from  the  town,  at  the  CHAP,  v. 
head  of  his  garrison,  attended  by  some  field  1775. 
pieces.  Under  these  circumstances,  he  thought  And  mires 

'J        to  point  aux 

it  most  advisable  to  retire  with  his  small  party  Tremble- 
to   point  aux  Trembles,    twenty  miles  above 
Quebec,  there  to  wait  the  arrival  of  Montgo- 
mery.    On  their  march,  they  saw  the  vessel    Nov- 19- 
on  board  which  was  general  Carleton,  and  after- 
wards found  that  he  had  been  on  shore  at  point 
aux  Trembles,   a  very  few  hours  before  they 
reached  that  place. 

In  war,  the  success  of  the  most  judicious 
plans  often  depends  on  accidents  not  to  be 
foreseen  nor  controlled.  Seldom  has  the  truth  ol 
this  position  been  more  clearly  demonstrated, 
than  in  the  issue  of  the  expedition  conducted 
by  colonel  Arnold.  The  situation  of  the 
enemy  conformed  exactly  to  the  expectations 
of  the  commander  in  chief.  Not  suspecting 
that  so  bold  and  difficult  an  enterprise  could 
possibly  be  meditated,  Quebec  had  been  left 
entirely  defenceless,  and  all  the  strength  of  the 
province  had  been  collected  towards  the  lakes. 
Could  Arnold  have  reached  that  place  but  a 
few  days  sooner ;  could  he  even  have  crossed 
the  river  on  his  first  arrival  at  point  Levi, 
before  the  town  was  entered  by  M'Clean;  had 
colonel  Enos  been  able  to  follow  the  main  body 
with  his  division  of  the  detachment;  or  had  the 
first  moments  after  passing  the  St.  Lawrence 
been  seized;  every  probability  favours  the 
T  t  2 


324  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  A- .  opinion,  that  this  hardy  and  well  judged  expe- 
1775.  dition,  would  have  been  crowned  with  the 
most  brilliant  success.  Had  Arnold  even  been 
careful  to  relieve  the  inhabitants  of  the  town 
from  all  fears  respecting  their  property,  there  is 
much  reason  to  believe,  they  would  have  re- 
fused to  defend  it.  But  although  this  bold 
enterprise  was  planned  with  judgment,  and 
executed  with  vigour ;  although  the  means 
employed  were  adequate  to  the  object;  yet  the 
concurrence  of  several  minute  and  unfavourable 
incidents,  entirely  defeated  it,  and  deprived  it 
of  that  eclat  to  which  it  was  justly  entitled. 

General  Montgomery  having  clothed  his 
almost  naked  troops  at  Montreal,  which  he 
garrisoned;  and  provided  clothes  also,  for 
those  of  Arnold;  and  having  sent  several  small 
detachments  into  the  country  to  strengthen  his 
interest  with  the  Canadians,  and  obtain  supplies 
of  provisions ;  proceeded  at  the  head  of  the 
residue  of  his  army,  amounting  to  about  three 
hundred  men,  with  his  usual  expedition,  to  join 
colonel  Arnold  at  point  aux  Trembles,  after 
December  5.  which  he  marched  directly  to  Quebec.  But, 
before  his  arrival,  governor  Carleton  had  entered 
the  town,  and  was  making  every  preparation 
for  2*^ugorous  defence.  The  garrison  now 
consisteo^oLabout  fifteen  hundred  men,  of 
whom  eight  In? ndred  were  militia,  and  between 
four  and  five  hundred  wei*e  seamen.  Montgo- 
mery's effective  force  was  stated,  by  himself, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  325 

at  only  eight  hundred  men.  Relying  more,  for  CHAP,  v. 
success,  on  the  impression  his  past  victories  1775. 
and  the  opinion  of  his  present  strength  would 
make  on  the  fears  of  the  garrison,  than  on  his 
actual  force,  he,  on  his  first  appearance,  ad- 
dressed a  letter  to  the  governor,  magnifying  his 
own  resources,  and  demanding  a  surrender. 
The  determination  to  hold  no  communication 
with  the  Americans,  wras  still  preserved ;  and 
the  flag  was  fired  on.  Yet  he  contrived  means 
to  send  in  a  letter,  in  which  he  sought  to  alarm 
the  fears  of  Carleton  and  of  the  inhabitants,  by 
representing  the  irritation  of  his  victorious 
army  at  the  injuries  they  had  sustained,  and 
the  difficulty  with  which  he  restrained  them ; 
and  in  which  he  stated  his  perfect  knowledge 
of  the  condition  of  the  wretched  motley  garri- 
son, and  the  impossibility  of  defending  the 
place.  But  the  determination  of  Carleton  was 
taken ;  and  the  letters  of  the  American  general 
could  not  change  it. 

The  situation  of  Montgomery  was  such  as 
would  have  filled  with  despair  a  mind  less 
vigorous,  less  brave  and  less  sanguine  than 
his.  The  intense  cold  had  set  in,  and  in  that 
climate,  in  the  winter,  and  in  the  open  air,  it  is 
almost  too  severe  for  the  human  system,  with- 
out all  the  aids  usually  provided  against  it. 
His  raw,  undisciplined  troops,  were  unaccus- 
tomed to  the  hardships,  even  of  an  ordinary 
campaign ;  and  the  terms  of  service  of  those 


326  THE  LIFE  OF 

•_  who  had  accompanied  Arnold  were  expiring. 
1775.  His  numbers  were  not  sufficient  to  render  suc- 
cess probable,  according  to  any  common  prin- 
ciple of  calculation ;  and  the  prospect  of  their 
being  diminished  by  time  was  much  greater 
than  of  their  being  increased.  But  relying  on 
their  courage,  on  himself  and  his  fortune,  and 
on  the  fears  of  the  garrison;  stimulated,  too,  by 
the  high  expectations  formed  by  all  America 
of  his  success,  and  by  the  dread  of  disappoint- 
ing those  expectations,  he  determined  to  lay 
immediate  siege  to  the  town. 

™yfsfe™to  I*1  a  few  days  he  opened  a  six  gun  battery 
within  about  seven  hundred  yards  of  the  walls, 
but  his  artillery  was  too  light  to  make  a  breach, 
and  he  did  not  calculate  on  any  effect  from  it. 
His  object  was  to  amuse  the  enemy,  and 
conceal  his  real  design. 

Although  the  excessive  hardships  to  which  the 
troops  were  exposed,  hardships  which  seemed 
to  surpass  human  bearing,  were  supported 
with  great  constancy  and  firmness;  Mont- 
gomery feared  that  they  would  at  length  yield 
to  the  force  o/  such  continued  sufferings;  and 
as  he  would  soon  have  no  legal  authority  to 
retaui  a  part  of  them,  he  apprehended  that  he 

should  be, abandoned  by  those  who  would  have 

r 
a  right  tora^jMLhim.      Other  considerations 

of  a  personal  nature  were,  probably,  not 
without  their  influence.  Though  he  had  em- 
braced the  American  cause  with  enthusiasm, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  327 

he  had  become  wearied  with  its  service.  CHAP.V. 
Trained  to  arms  in  a  school,  where  strict  dis-  1775. 
cipline,  and  implicit  obedience  were  taught  and 
practised,  all  his  habits,  not  less  than  his  judg- 
ment, were  shocked  by  the  temper  which  the 
American  troops  brought  with  them  into  the 
field.  A  spirit  of  insubordination  seemed  to 
pervade  the  whole  mass.  Not  only  the  quotas 
of  different  colonies,  but  in  some  cases  even 
different  regiments,  appeared  disposed  to  con- 
sider themselves  as  entirely  independent  of  each 
other;  and  all  thought  themselves  entitled  to 
judge  of  the  propriety  of  the  measures  to  be 
adopted.  The  general  himself  possessed  little' 
other  authority  than  was  bestowed  on  him,  by 
his  personal  talents,  and  his  arts  of  persuasion. 
Nor  was  a  much  brighter  prospect  opening  for 
the  future.  The  cause  to  which"  the  extremity 
of  the  evil  was  to  be  attributed,  threatened  still 
to  continue,  and  the  United  Colonies  seemed 
still  determined  to  rest  their  defence  on  tempo- 
rary armies.  With  infinite  judgment  and  ad- 
dress, he  had  heretofore  successfully  struggled 
with  the  difficulties  attendant  on  this  unpromis- 
ing state  of  things;  but  it  is  not  unreasonable 
to  suppose  that  he  was  unwilling  that  his  life 
and  his  fame,  should  continue  so  much  to  depend 
on  the  wayward  caprice  of^ffere.  He  had 


^i* 
determined  to  withdraw  from  the  army,  and  had 

signified,  before  marching  from  Montreal,  his 
resolution  to  resign  the  commission  which  had 


328  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  v.  been  conferred  on  him.  It  is  not  improbable 
1775.  that  the  desire  of  closing  his  military  career 
with  a  degree  of  brilliancy  suited  to  the  eleva- 
tion of  his  mind-,  by  the  conquest  of  Quebec, 
and  the  addition  of  Canada  to  the  United  Colo- 
nies, strengthened  those  motives  which  were 
furnished  by  the  actual  state  of  American  affairs, 
for  a  vigorous  effort  to  terminate  the  war  in  that 
quarter.  Impressed  with  the  real  necessity  of 
taking  decisive  steps  and  impelled  by  his  native 
courage,  this  accomplished  and  gallant  officer 
determined  to  risk  an  assault. 

Of  such  materials  was  his  little  army  com- 
posed, that  the  most  desperate  hardihood  could 
not  hope  to  succeed  in  the  purposed  attempt, 
unless  it  should  receive  the  approbation  of  all 
his  troops.  It  was  therefore  necessary,  not  only 
to  consult  the  officers  individually  on  this  deli- 
cate subject;  but  to  obtain  also  the  cheerful 
assent  of  the  soldiers,  to  the  meditated  enter- 
prise. The  proposition  was  at  first  received 
very  coldly  by  a  part  of  Arnold's  corps,  who 
were  by  some  means  disgusted  with  their  com- 
manding office.r;  but  the  influence  of  Morgan, 
\vho  was  particularly  zealous  for  the  enterprise, 
and  Active  in  advocating  it,  and  who  held  up  to 
them  as  ».very  powerful  inducement,  the  rights 
conferred  by*^!^usages  of  war,  on  those  who 
storm  a  fortified  town,  at  length  prevailed;  and 
the  assault  was  almost  unanimously  assented 
to. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  329 

Whilst  the  general  was  making  the  necessary  CHAP.V. 
preparations  for  that  purpose,  the  garrison  1775. 
received  intelligence  of  his  intention  from  a 
deserter.  This  circumstance  induced  him  to 
change  the  plan  of  his  attack,  which  had  been, 
originally,  to  attempt  both  the  upper  and  lower 
towns  at  the  same  time.  The  plan  now  resol- 
ved on  was,  to  divide  the  army  into  four  parts, 
and  while  two  of  them,  consisting  of  Canadians 
under  major  Livingston,  and  a  smart  party  under 
major  Brown,  were  to  distract  the  attention  of 
the  garrison  by  making  two  feints  against  the 
upper  town,  at  St.  Johns  and  cape  Diamond; 
the  other  two,  led,  the  one  by  Montgomery  in 
person,  and  the  other  by  Arnold,  were  to  make 
real  attacks  on  opposite  sides  of  the  lower  town. 
After  gaining  possession  of  the  lower  town,  it 
would  yet  have  been  extremely  difficult  to  con- 
quer the  obstacles  to  be  surmounted  in  forcing 
their  way  to  the  upper  town;  but  as  all  the 
wealth  of  the  city  would  then  have  been  in  their 
power,  it  was  confidently  expected  that  the 
inhabitants,  to  secure  their  property,  would 
compel  the  governor  to  capitulate. 

Between  four  and  five  in  the  morning,  the  December  31. 
signal  was   a;iven ;   and  the  several   divisions  unsuccessful 

c  ^T  attack  on 

moved  to  the  assault,  under  a  violent  storm 


snow.  The  plan  was  so  well  concerted,  that 
"  from  the  side  of  the  riveHSt.  Lawrence  along 
the  fortified  front  round  to  the  bason,  every  part 

VOL.   II.  U  II 


330  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,V.  seemed  equally  threatened. ' ' q  Montgomery,  at 
1775.  the  head  of  the  New  York  troops,  advanced 
along  the  St.  Lawrence  by  the  way  of  Aunce 
de  Mere,  under  Cape  Diamond.  The  first  bar- 
rier to  be  surmounted  on  this  side  was  at  the 
Pot  Ash.  It  was  defended  by  a  battery,  in 
which  were  mounted  a  few  pieces  of  artillery, 
about  two  hundred  paces  in  front  of  which,  was 
a  block-house  and  picket.  The  guard  placed 
at  the  block-house,  being  chiefly  Canadians, 
having  given  a  random  and  harmless  fire,  threw 
away  their  arms  and  fled  in  confusion  to  the 
barrier.  Their  terrors  were  communicated  to 
those  who  defended  this  important  pass ;  and  the 
intelligence  afterwards  received  by  the  Ameri- 
can prisoners  in  Quebec  is,  that  the  battery  was 
for  a  time  absolutely  deserted. 

Unfortunately,  the  difficulties  of  the  route 
rendered  it  impossible  for  Montgomery,  in- 
stantly, to  avail  himself  of  this  first  impression. 
Cape  Diamond,  around  which  he  was  to  make 
his  way,  presents  a  precipice,  the  foot  of  which 
is  washed  by  the  river,  where  enormous  and 
rugged  masses  of  ice  had  been  piled  on  each 
other,  so  as  to  render  the  way  almost  impassable.1' 
Along  the  scanty  path  leading  under  the  pro- 
jecting recks  of  the  precipice,  the  Americans 
pressed  fb,rwWlivin  a  narrow  file,  until  they 
reached  the  bloci^fefctise  and  picket.  Mont- 
gomery, who  was  himself  in  front,  assisted  with 

i  Letter  of  governor  Carleton.  T  Annual  Register. 

At 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  33  \ 

his  own  hands  to  cut  down  or  pull  up  the  pickets,  CHAP.V. 
and  open  a  passage  for  his  troops;  but  the  ex-  \77s. 
cessive  roughness  and  difficulty  of  the  way  had 
so  lengthened  his  line  of  march,  that  he  found 
it  absolutely  necessary  to  halt  a  few  minutes, 
in  order  to  collect  a  force  with  which  he  might 
venture  to  proceed.  Having  reassembled  about 
two  hundred  men,  whom  he  encouraged  alike 
by  his  voice  and  his  example,  he  advanced 
boldly  and  rapidly  at  their  head,  to  force  the 
barrier.  One  or  two  persons  had  now  ventured  to 
return  to  the  battery;  and,  seizing  a  slow-match 
standing  by  one  of  the  guns,  discharged  the 
piece,  when  the  American  front  was  within 
forty  paces  of  it.  This  single  and  accidental 
fire  was  a  fatal  one.  The  sreneral  with  captains  Deathef 

Montgomery 

M'Pherson  and  Cheeseman,  two  valuable 
young  officers  near  his  person,  the  first  of  whom 
was  his  aid;  together  with  his  orderly  serjeant 
and  a  private,  were  killed  upon  the  spot.  The 
loss  of  their  general,  in  whom  their  confidence 
had  been  so  justly1  placed,  discouraged  the 
troops;  and  colonel  Campbell  on  whom  the 
command  devolved,  but  who  did  not  partake 
of  that  spirit  of  heroism  which  had  animated 
their  departed  chief,  made  no  attempt  to  prose- 
cute the  enterprise.  This  whole  division  retired 
precipitately  from  the  action,  and  left  the  gar- 
rison at  leisure,  after  recovering  from  the  con- 
sternation into  which  they  had  been  thrown, 
to  direct  their  undivided  force  against  Arnold, 
u-u  2 


332  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  v.  The  division  commanded  by  this  officer 
1775.  moved  in  files,  at  the  common  signal  for  the 
attack,  along  the  street  of  St.  Roques,  towards 
the  Saint  desMatelots.  In  imitation  of  Mont- 
gomery, he  too  led  the  forlorn  hope  in  person, 
and  was  followed  by  captain  Lamb  with  his 
company  of  artillery,  and  a  field  piece  mounted 
on  a  sled.  Close  in  the  rear  of  the  artillery  was 
the  main  body,  in  front  of  which  was  Morgan's 
company  of  riflemen  commanded  by  himself. 
At  the  Saint  des  Matelots,  the  enemy  had  con- 
structed their  first  barrier,  and  had  erected  a 
battery  of  two  twelve  pounders,  which  it  was 
necessary  to  force.  The  path  along  which  the 
troops  were  to.  march  had  been  rendered  so 
narrow  by  the  rough  cakes  of  ice  thrown  up  on 
the  one  side  from  St.  Charles,  and  by  the  works 
erected  by  the  enemy  on  the  other,  that  the  two 
pieces  of  artillery  in  the  battery  in  front,  were 
capable  of  raking  with  grape  shot  every  inch  of 
the  ground;  whilst  his  whole  right  flank  was 
exposed  to  an  incessant  fire  of  musketry  from 
the -walls,  and  from  the  pickets  of  the  garrison. 

In  this  order,  Arnold  advanced  with  the  ut- 

~-.,*f"~' 

most  intrepidity,  along  the  St.  Charles,  against 
the  battery.  The  alkrm  was  immediately  given, 
and  the  fiWiM^iis  |iank  commenced,  which, 
however,  did  noVJj^^e  very  destructive.  As 
he  approached  the  barrier  he  received  a  musket 
ball  in  the  leg  which  shattered  the  bone,  and 
he  was  carried  off  the  field  to  the  hospital. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  333 

Morgan  rushed  forward  to  the  battery  at  the  CHAP.V. 
head  of  his  company,  and  received  from  one  of  irrs. 
the  pieces,  almost  at  its  mouth,  a  discharge  of 
grape  shot  which  killed  only  one  man.  A  few 
rifles  were  immediately  fired  into  the  embra- 
zures,  by  which  a  British  soldier  was  wounded 
in  the  head,  and  the  barricade  being  instantly 
mounted*  with  the  aid  of  ladders,  brought  by 
his  men  on  their  shoulders,  the  "battery  was 
deserted  without  discharging  the  other  gun. 
The  captain  of  the  guard,  with  the  greater 
number  of  his  men,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Americans,  and  the  others  made  their  escape. 
Morgan  formed  the  troops,  consisting  of  his 
own  company,  and  a  few  bold  individuals  who 
had  pressed  forward  from  other  parts  of  the 
division,  in  the  streets  within  the  barrier;  and 
took  into  custody  several -English  and  Canadian 
burghers ;  but  his  situation  soon  became  ex- 
tremely critical.  He  was  not  follov.-ed  by  the 
main  body  of  the  divfsion ;  he  had  no  guide ;  and 
and  was,  himself,  totally  ignorant  of  the  situa- 
tion of  the  town.  It  was  yet  extremely  dark, 
and  he  had  not  the  slightest  knowledge  of  the 
course  to  be  pursued,  or  of  the  defences  to  be 
.  __  - 

*  Charles  Porterfielcl  then  a  Serjeant,  and  afterwards  a 
lieutenant  colonel  in  the  state  garrison  regiment  of  Vir- 
ginia, who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Camden,  was  the 
first  person  who  crossed  the  barricade ;  Morgan  himself 
was  the  second. 


334  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- v-  encountered.     Thus    circumstanced,    it    was 
1775.    thought  unadvisable  to  advance  further. 

It  had  been  found  impossible  to  move  on  the 
field  piece  which  had  been  placed  in  front  of 
the  line,  and  the  path  was  so  narrow  that  there 
was  much  difficulty  in  passing  it.  Only  Mor- 
gan's company  and  afewPennsylvanians,  led  by 
lieutenant  Archibald  Steele,  and  a  few  indivi- 
duals of  other  companies,  had  made  their  way 
round  it;  and  with  the  forlorn  hope  had  entered 
the  town.  As  the  glow  produced  by  immense 
exertion  gave  way  to  the  cold,  which  was  so  in- 
tense that  they  were  covered  with  icicles,  and 
as  the  ardour  excited  by  action  subsided, 
when  they  were  no  longer  engaged;  even  this 
daring  party  became  less  animated.  Whilst 
waiting  in  total  ignorance  of  the  fate  of  the  re- 
sidue of  the  division;  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
the  fury  of  the  storm,  the  scattering  fire  still 
kept  up  by  the  enemy,  principally  in  their 
rear,  the  paucity  of  their  numbers,  and  the  un- 
certainty concerning  their  future  operations, 
visibly  affected  them.  It  was,  after  some  de- 
liberation, determined  that  they  should  main- 
tain their  ground;  while  Morgan  returned  to 
tire  barrier  "they  had  passed,  for  the  purpose  of 
bringing  up  the  troops  who  were  supposed  to 
be  still  on  the  other  side  of  it. 

They  wrere  soon  joined  by  lieutenant  colonel 
Green,  and  majors  Bigelow  and  Meiggs,  with 
several  fragments  of  companies,  so  as  to  con- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  335 

stitute    altogether    about  .two  hundred   men.  CHAP.V. 
Amongthe  hazards  which  must  forever  endanger     1775. 
the  success  of  enterprises  undertaken  by  undis- 
ciplined troops,  especially  in  the  night,  it  is 
one  of  the  greatest  and  most  certain,  that  no 
given  portion  of  the  force  employed  can  be 
counted  on.     The  most  daring  will  precipitate 
themselves  into  the  midst  of  danger,  whilst  the 
less  intrepid,  or  the  less  ardent,  will  not  be  in 
a  situation  to  support  them. 

As  the  light  of  day  began  to  appear,  this 
small  but  gallant  party  was  again  formed,  with 
Morgan's  company  in  front;  and  with  one 
voice,  they  loudly  called  on  him  to  lead  them 
against  the  second  barrier,  which  was  now 
known  to  be  less  than  forty  paces  from  them, 
though  concealed  by  an  angle  of  the  street 
from  their  immediate  view.  Seizing  the  few 
ladders*  brought  with  them,  they  again  rushed 
on  to  the  charge,  and  on  turning  the  angle,  were 
hailed  by  captain,  or  lieutenant  Anderson,  who 
was  just  issuing  with  a  body  of  troops,  through 
the  gate  of  the  barricade,  for  the  purpose  of  at- 
tacking the  Americans,  whom  he  had  expected 
to  find  dispersed,  and  probably  plundering  the 
town.  Morgan,  who  was  in/the  front,  answered 
his  challenge  by  a  ball  through  his  head,  and 
as  he  fell,  he  was  drawn  wfthin  the  barricade  and 


*  Only  Morgan's  company  had  brought  on  ladders  fur* 
ther  than  the  first  barrier. 


336  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  v.  the  gate  closed  upon  the  assailants,  who  received 
1775.  at  the  same  instant  a  tremendous  fire  from  the 
windows  overlooking  the  barrier,  and  from  the 
port  holes  through  it.  Ladders  were  now  placed 
against  the  barricade,  and  a  fierce,  which  on  the 
part  of  the  assailants  was  also  a  bloody  contest, 
was  maintained  for  some  time.  A.  few  of  the 
bolder  among  the  front  files  ascended  the  Blad- 
ders, under  this  deadly  fire,  and  saw  on  the 
other  side  of  the  barricade,  double  ranks  of 
soldiers,  who  with  their  muskets  planted  on  the 
ground,  presented  hedges  of  bayonets  to  re- 
ceive them,  if  they  should  attempt  to  leap  to 
the  earth.  Exposed  thus,  in  a  narrow  street, 
to  a  most  galling  fire,  many  of  the  assailants 
threw  themselves  into  the  stone  houses  on  each 
side,  which  afforded  them  a  shelter  both  from 
the  storm,  and  from  the  enemy;  and  through 
the  windows  of  which  they  kept  up  an  irregu- 
lar, and  not  very  effective  fire.  One  circum- 
stance which  greatly  contributed  to  the  irreso- 
lution now  displaying  itself,  was,  that  scarcely 
more  than  one  in  ten  of  their  fire  arms  could 
be  used.  Notwithstanding  the  precaution  of 
tying  handkerchiefs  around  the  locks,  the  vio- 
lence of  the  storm  had  totally  unfitted  them  for 
service.  Morgan  soon  found  himself  at  the 


*  Lieutenant  Heth,  and  .the  same  Charles  Porterfield 
•who  had  been  before  his  captain  in  passing  the  first  bar- 
rier, were  of  this  number. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  337 

barrier  with  only  a  few  officers,  and  a  very  small  CHAP,  v. 
number  of  soldiers.  Yet  he  could  not  prevail  iTTfi. 
on  himself  to  relinquish  the  enterprise.  With 
a  voice  louder  than  the  tempest,  he  called  on 
those  who  were  sheltered  in  the  houses,  to 
come  forth  and  scale  the  barrier;  but  he  called 
in  vain;  neither  exhortations  nor  reproaches 
could  draw  them  in  sufficient  numbers  to  the 
point  of  attack.  Being  at  length  compelled  to 
relinquish  all  hope  of  success,  he  ordered  the 
few  brave  men  who  still  adhered  to  him,  to 
save  themselves  in  the  houses,  while  he,  ac- 
companied only  by  lieutenant  Heth,  returned 
towards  the  first  barrier,  in  order  to  concert, 
with  the  field  officers,  some  plan  for  drawing  off 
the  troops.  He  soon  met  majors  Bigelow  and 
Meiggs,  to  whom  he  proposed  an'  immediate 
retreat  by  the  same  route,  along  which  they 
had  marched  to  the  attack.  This  proposition 
was  assented  to,  and  lieutenant  Heth  was  now 
dispatched  to  draw  the  troops  from  their  pre- 
sent situation. 

The  barrier  at  which  the  Americans  had 
been  repulsed,  crossed  a  street  which  continued 
in  a  straight  direction  for  a  very  few  paces, 
after  which  its  course  was /changed.  Whilst 
in  view  of  the  barrier,  the  danger  Avas  very- 
great,  but  on  turning  the  corner,  it  entirely 
ceased.  Every  person  showing  himself  in  the 
street  fronting  the  barrier,  was  immediately 
fired  at  from  the  windows ;  and  to  draw  the 

VOL.    II.  X   X 


338  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.V.  troops  through  this  hazardous  pass,  was  the 
1775.  duty  now  assigned  to  lieutenant  Heth.  He 
undertook  it  with  alacrity,  and  communicated 
his  orders,  with  directions  that  the  retreat 
should  be  made  to  the  first  barrier  in  small 
parties,  and  by  single  files;  but  was  unable  to 
prevail  on  the  men  generally  to  follow  him. 
Their  spirits  had  been  so  entirely  broken  by 
the  slaughter  at  the  second  barrier,  by  the  pelt- 
ing of  the  storm,  and  by  the  freezing  cold, 
that  only  a  few -could  be  stimulated  again  to 
expose  themselves  in  the  street,  and  he  was 
under  the  necessity  of  returning  without  ac- 
complishing his  object.  By  this  time  a  party 
of  the  garrison,  consisting  of  about  two  hun- 
dred men,  with  some  field  pieces,  had  made  a 
sortie  from  the  palace  gate;  and  captain  Dear- 
borne  who  was  stationed  with  his  company 
near  that  post  as  a  .rear  guard,  having  surren- 
dered to  them,  they  were  in  perfect  possession 
of  that  part  of  the  town,  and  had  completely 
encompassed  the  residue  of  the  division.  In 
this  desperate  state  of  affairs,  a  council  of  the 
officers  then  present  was  held,  when  the  bold 
proposition  was  made*  to  assemble  immediately 
as  many  officers  and  men  as  could  be  instantly 
collected,  anohvcujt  their  way  back  out  of  town. 
The  adoption  of  this  daring  resolution  was 

only   prevented   by   the   suggestion   that    the 

•     

*  This  proposition  too  was  made  by  Morgan. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON:  339 

attack  led  by  Montgomery,  of  whose  fate  they  CHAP,  v. 
were  entirely  ignorant,  might  possibly  yet  be  1775. 
successful ;  and  that,  in  the  event  of  his  having 
entered  the  opposite  part  of  the  town,  their 
co-operation  might  be  of  infinite  value  to  him. 
On  this  account  they  determined  to  maintain, 
still  longer,  their  present  situation ;  but  the 
force  of  the  enemy  increasing  very  consider- 
ably, they  soon  perceived  that  they  were  no 
longer  masters  of  their  own  destinies,  and  were 
compelled  about  ten  o'clock  to  surrender  them- 
selves prisoners  of  war. 

In  this  bold  and  unsuccessful  attack  on  Que- 
bec, the  loss  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  was 
extremely  inconsiderable,  it  is  stated  bv 

V  •< 

general  Carleton  in  his  letter  to  general  Howe, 
at  only  one  lieutenant  and  seventeen  privates 
killed  and  wounded.  On  the  part  of  the  Ame- 
ricans, the  loss  was  about  four  hundred  men ; 
three  hundred  and  forty  of  whom  were  pri- 
soners. It  fell  chiefly  on  Arnold's  division,  the 
whole  of  which,  except  a  few  officers  who 
attended  him  to  the  hospital,  fell  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy.  As  the  sharpest  part  of  the 
action  was  at  the  second  barrier,  the  loss  in 
killed  and  wounded,  was  ghiefly  sustained  at 
that  place.  It  was  less  considerable  than  it 
otherwise  must  have  been,  in  consequence  of 
the  cover  afforded  to  a  large  portion  of  the 
troops  by  the  houses  they  had  entered,  which 
not  only  sheltered  themselves,  but  by  keeping 
xx  2 


340  THE  LTFE  OF 

CHAP.V.  up  an  irregular  fire  on  the  windows  of  those 
1775.  houses  in  which  a  part  of  the  garrison  was 
placed,  lessened  the  danger  of  those  \vho  re- 
mained in  the  open  street.  Captain  Hendricks 
of  the  Pennsylvania  riflemen,  lieutenant  Hum- 
phries of  Morgan's  company,  and  lieutenant 
Cooper  of  Connecticut,  were  among  the  slain. 
Captains  Lamb*  and  Hubbard,  and  lieutenants 
Steele  and  Tisdale  were  among  the  wounded. 
Not  an  officer  was  at  the  second  barrier,  who 
did  not  receive  several  balls  through  his 
clothes,  and  some  of  them  were  severely 
scorched  by  the  powder  from  the  muzzles  of 
the  muskets  discharged  at  them.  When  the 
dangers  to  which  they  were  exposed  are  con- 
sidered, it  is  matter  of  wonder  that  any  of 
them  should  have  escaped. 

But  the  loss  sustained  by  the  American  army 
\vhich  was  most  fatal  to  their  hopes,  and  most 
deplored,  was  their  general. 

Richard  Montgomery,  whose  short  but 
splendid  course  was  now  terminated,  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  had  served  with  reputa- 
tion in  the  "late  war.  After  its  conclusion,  he 
settled  in  NCAV  \York,  where  he  married  an 
American  lady,  ajid  took  a  very  strong  and 


*  Captain  Lamb  finding  it  absolutely  impossible  to 
move  on  his  field  piece,  had  abandoned  it,  and  brought 
on  his  company  to  the  second  barrier,  near  which  he  re- 
ceived his  wound. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  34 X 

decided  part  with  the  colonies,  in  their  contest  CHAP,  v. 
with  Great  Britain.  His  military  reputation  1775. 
was  high  throughout  America.  In  the  history 
of  his  achievements  while  commanding  in 
Canada,  we  find  much  reason  for  attributing 
to  him,  the  qualities  of  an  active  partisan;  and, 
so  far  as  a  judgment  can  be  formed  of  a  capa- 
city for  conducting  the  movements  of  a  large 
army  from  the  judicious  management  of  a 
small  one,  we  cannot  hesitate  to  allow  him  the 
talents  of  an  able  general.  At  the  head  of  a 
small  body  of  undisciplined  troops,  drawn 
from  different  colonies,  unwilling  to  be  com- 
manded by  a  stranger,  and  jealous  of  him  in 
the  extreme ;  often  disposed  to  disobedience, 
and  anxious  for  their  homes,  whom  he  appears 
at  length  to  have  inspired  with  a  large  portion 
of  the  ardour  and  enthusiasm  of  his  own  mind, 
he  conquered  difficulties  which  not  many  would 
have  ventured  to  meet,  and  until  his  last  fatal 
moment,  was  uniformly  successful.  With  a 
few  men  just  raised;  and  just  about  to  disperse, 
badly  furnished  with  arms,  ammunition,  and 
clothes,  in  little  more  than  two  months,  he 
made  himself  master  of  Canada  from  the  lakes 
to  Quebec;  and,  as  if  determined  to  triumph 
over  the  climate  itself,  laict^iege  in  the  depth 
of  winter  to  that  important  fortress.  His  mea- 
sures seem  to  have  been  taken  with  judgment, 
and  were  certainly  executed  with  great  courage 
and  unremitting  exertion.  When  he  appears 


342  THE  LIFE  <>F 

CHAP,  v.   to  have  risked  much,  and  to  have  exposed  his 
1 775.    troops  to  hardships  almost  too  great  to  be  borne, 
this  line  of  conduct  was  not  capriciously  or 
inconsiderately  chosen.     The  state  of  his  affairs 
absolutely  required  it,  and  without  it  a  failure 
appeared  to  be  inevitable.    It  was  indispensably 
necessary  to  undertake  the  siege  of  Quebec 
during   the   winter,    or  to  abandon  altogether 
the  great  object  of  the  expedition.     With  the 
opening  of  the  river  in  the  spring,  it  was  not 
doubted  that  large  re-enforcements  would  ar- 
rive from  England,  and  the  place  be  effectually 
secured  against  any  force  America  could  em- 
ploy for  its  reduction.     The  state  of  his  army 
which  might  soon  disband  itself,  added  to  the 
excessive   severity   of  the    weather,    made  it 
extremely  unsafe  to  trust  to  the  tedious  ope- 
rations of  a  regular  siege.     Indeed,  the  weight 
of  his  artillery  did    not   admit  of  making   a 
breach  in  the  walls,  and  there  was  no  hope  of 
compelling  a  surrender  by  famine.     Nor  was 
the  attempt  to  carry  the  place  by  assault  so  very 
rash  a  measure,  as  its  great  strength,  and  the 
event,  might  at  first  view  induce  us  to  suppose. 
The  design  was  worthy  the  lofty  spirit  which 
formed  it ;  >hough\  hazardous,  it  was  not  des- 
perate, and  though  great  courage  was  required 
to  crown  it  with  success,   great  courage  was 
employed  in  its  execution.     He  counted,  and 
with  reason,  on  the  fears  of  the 'garrison,  on  the 
immense  extent  of  ground  they  were  under  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  343 

necessity  of  guarding ;  and  had  he  not  fallen  CHAP.V. 
himself,  or  been  deserted  by  his  troops,  it  is  1775. 
even  yet  believed,  he  would  have  succeeded. 
The  progress  made  by  Arnold's  division  gives 
great  countenance  to  this  opinion;  and  some 
very  intelligent  officers  belonging  to  that  divi- 
sion, who,  while  prisoners  in  Quebec,  endea- 
voured to  inform  themselves  of  the  course  of 
the  action,  aver  that  when  the  general  fell,  the 
barrier  had  been  deserted ;  and  that  the  piece 
which  did  such  fatal  execution  was  firmed  by  a 
single  remaining  artillery  man,  who  imme- 
diately followed  his  comrades,  and  fled  from 
the  battery.*  That  no  other  gun  was  dis- 
charged, corroborates  this  intelligence. 

To  express  the  high  sense  entertained  by  his 
country  of  his 'services,  congress  directed  a 
monument  to  be  erected,  with  an  inscription 
sacred  to  his  memory,  and  expressive  of  "the 
veneration  of  the  United  Colonies  for  their  late 
general,  Richard  Montgomery,  and  the  deep 
sense  they  entertain  of  the  many  signal  and 
important  services  of  that  gallant  officer,  who, 
after  a  series  of  successes,  amidst  the  most  dis- 
couraging difficulties,  fell  at  length  in  a  gallant 
attack  upon  Quebec,  the  capital  of  Canada;  and 
to  transmit  to  future  ages,  as  examples  truly 


*  This  information  was  received  from  colonel  Heth, 
then  a  lieutenant  in  Morgan's  company,  every  individual 
of  which  made  distinguished  exertions  in  this  fatal  attempt. 


344  THE  L1FE  or 

CHAP  v.  worthy  of  imitation,  his  patriotism,  conduct, 
1775.    boldness  of  enterprise,    insuperable   perseve- 
rance, and  contempt  of  danger  and  death." 

The  American  army  was  no  longer  in  a  con- 
dition to  continue  the  siege.  At  first  they 
were  extremely  alarmed,  and  about  one  hun- 
dred set  out  for  Montreal.  With  difficulty, 
Arnold  retained  the  others;  but  they  broke  up 
their  camp  and  retired  about  three  miles  from 
the  city;  where,  though  inferior  in  numbers 
to  the  garrison,  they  kept  it  in  a  state  of 
blockade,  and  in  tjie  course  of  the  winter 
reduced  it  to  great  distress  for  want  of  provi- 
sions. By  preserving  this  bold  countenance, 
they  retained  the  confidence  of  the  Canadians, 
which  saved  their  affairs,  for  a  time,  from  total 
ruin. 

Governor  Carleton  who  acquired,  and  deserved, 
great  reputation  by  the  fortitude  discovered  in 
defending  Quebec,  and  who  only  wished  to 
preserve  the  place  until  the  re-enforcements  he 
counted  on  receiving  in  the  spring,  should 
enable  him  to  act  offensively,  very  prudently 
determined  not  to  hazard  an  attack  with  a  gar- 
rison on  which  it  was  unsafe  to  rely ;  and 
Arnold,  on  wjiom  Vhe  command  now  devolved, 
remained  undisturbed,  except  by  occasional 
sorties  made  by  small  parties,  which  always 
retreated  precipitately  under  their  guns,  as  soon 
as  he  advanced.  Although  badly  wounded,  he 
retained  his  courage  and  activity,  and  though 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  345 

deserted  by  those  whose  times  of  service  had  CHAP.V. 
expired,    so  as  to  be  reduced  at  one  time  to     1775. 
about  five  hundred  effective  men,  and  no  longer 
supported  by  the  Canadians,  he  discovered  no 
disposition  to  sink  under  the  weight  of  adverse 
fortune. 

Congress  had  been  sanguine  in  the  hope  of 
annexing  Canada  to  the  union,  and  authorized 
General  Schuyler,  on  his  taking  the  command  November  *• 
in  the  northern  department,  to  raise  a  regiment 
in  that  province.  On  the  first  intelligence  of 
the  difficulties  experienced  by  Montgomery  in 
re-inlisting  his  men,  three  of  their  members 
were  deputed  a  committee  to  the  northern 
army,  with  power  to  concert  with  general 
Schuyler  the  means  of  re-enforcing  it,  and  of 
offering  two  months  pay  as  a  bounty  to  those 
who  would  re-inlist,  to  be  received  on  obtain- 
ing possession  of  St.  Johns  and  Montreal.  Un- 
fortunately, the  remedy  was  not  applied  in  time, 
and  the  evil  grew  to  such  magnitude,  that 


even  Ticonderoga  and  fort  George  were  aban-     irre. 
doned   by  the   troops   which   had   garrisoned    Januan' 
them,    whose  terms  of  service  had  expired, 
before  others  could  be  recruited  to  take  their 
places. 

It  was  determined  to  keep  up  in  Canada  nine 
battalions  for  the  ensuing  campaign,  including 
one  to  be  raised  in  that  province,  and  general 
Schuyler  was  directed  to  have  constructed  at 
Ticonderoga,.  a  number  of  batteaux  for  the 

VOL.  ii.  Y  y 


346  THE  LIFE  oif 

CHAP,  v.  purpose  of  transporting  the  troops  to  the  scene 
1776.  of  action.  He  was  also  directed  to  have  the  St. 
Lawrence,  above  and  below  Quebec,  explored, 
in  order  to  fix  on  proper  places  to  oppose  by 
armed  boats  or  otherwise,  an  enemy  attempting 
to  enter  the  country  by  that  river.  To  complete 
the  nine  battalions  voted  for  this  service,  one 
from  Pennsylvania,  and  one  from  New  Jersey 
were  ordered  to  march  immediately  to  Albany, 
two  others  were  to  be  formed  of  the  troops 
already  with  Montgomery  ;  and  the  remaining 
number  to  be  raised,  one  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
the  others  in  New  England  and  New  York. 

Whilst  congress  were  thus  adopting  means 
for  the  preservation  of  a  colony  believed  to  be 
already  annexed  to  the  union,  the  melancholy 

January  IT.  intelligence  was  received,  of  the  disaster  of 
the  31st  December.  The  necessity  of  making 
great  exertions  now  became  apparent.  It  was 
resolved  that  the  utmost  possible  dispatch  in 
forwarding  re-enforcements,  ought  to  be  used, 
as  well  for  the  relief  of  their  friends,  as  for 
the  better  security  of  the  liberties,  not  only  of 
that  colony,  but  of  all  the  United  Colonies. 
Expresses  were  dispatched  to  expedite  the  bat- 
talions orde£gd_  from  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey,  and  the  committee  of  safety  in  the 
former  province  was  requested  to  obtain  in 
Philadelphia,  a  sufficient  number  of  blankets 
to  enable  the  men  to  move  in  that  inclement 
season.  The  colonial  governments  were  urged 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  347 

to  use  all  possible  means  for  raising  as  speedily  CHAP.V. 
as  possible,  the  battalions  voted  a  few  days 
before  for  Canada,  and  a  bounty  of  six  dollars 
and  two  thirds  of  a  dollar,  was  allowed  to  each 
man  who  would  inlist  for  that  service,  if  fur- 
nished with  a  stand  of  arms,  which  was  to 
remain  his  own  property  ;  and  four  dollars 
were  offered  to  every  person  who  would  inlist 
without  arms.  The  respective  conventions 
too  were  requested  to  collect  all  the  specie  they 
could  by  any  means  obtain  for  the  use  of  the 
Canadian  army.  These  measures  for  re-en- 
forcing the  northern  army  were  in  some  degree 
accelerated  by  having  been  anticipated  by  the 
commander  in  chief.* 

The  service  in  Canada  was  deemed  of  too  February  i?. 
much  importance  to  be  intrusted  to  colonel, 
now  brigadier  general  Arnold,  or  to  general 
Wooster,  and  the  health  of  general  Schuyler 
would  not  admit  of  his  proceeding  to  Quebec. 
General  Lee,  an  officer  standing  high  in  the 
public  opinion,  was  ordered  to  take  command 
of  the  army  in  that  province.  To  remove  the 
complaints  respecting  the  want  of  heavy  artil- 

_, 

*  On  the  first  intelligence  received  in  the  camp  at 
Boston,  of  the  fate  of  Montgomery,  general  Washington, 
though  extremely  delicate  respecting  the  assumption  of 
power,  without  waiting  for  the  orders  of  congress  had 
immediately  requested  the  New  England  governments  to 
raise  several  regiments  to  re-enforce  that  army.  This 
measure  was  approved  by  congress, 
yy  2 


348  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.V.  lery,  the  government  of  New  York  was  re- 
1776.  quested  to  supply  him  with  cannon  not  exceed- 
ing twelve  pieces,  and  one  or  more  mortars, 
if  to  be  had,  as  also  with  balls,  shells,  and 
other  necessaries  for  the  siege  or  assault  of 
Quebec.  But  before  general  Lee  could  enter 
on  this  service,  the  opposite  extreme  of  the 
union  was  so  threatened  by  the  enemy,  that 
the  destination  of  this  officer  was  changed,  and 
he  was  ordered  to  take  command  in  the  southern 
department.  Brigadier  general  Thomas,  lately 
created  a  major  general,  who  had  commanded 
with  reputation  at  Roxbury,  and  concerning 
whose  military  capacity  a  very  favourable 
opinion  had  been  formed,  was  appointed  to 
Canada. 

In  the  hope  of  exciting  universally  in  that  pro- 
vince the  sentiments  which  prevailed  through 
the  United  Colonies,  and  of  forming  with  it  a 
perfect  union,  mr.  Franklin,  mr.  Chase,  and 
mr.  Carrol  were  deputed  as  commissioners  with 
full  powrers  on  this  subject,  and  with  instruc- 
tions to  establish  a  free  press.  These  com- 
missioners were  instructed  to  assure  the  people 
that  they  would  be  permitted  to  adopt  such  form 
of  government  j.s  would  be  agreeable  to  them- 
selves, to  exercise  freely  all  the  rights  of  con- 
science, and  to  be  considered  as  a  sister  colony, 
governed  by  the  same  general  system  of  mild 
and  equal  laws  which  prevailed  in  the  other 
colonies  ;  with  only  such  local  differences  as 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  349 

each  might  deem  conducive  to  its  own  happi-  CHAP,  v. 
ness.       They  were  also  instructed  to  inquire     1776. 
into  the  conduct  of  the  American  officers  and 
soldiers,  and  to  correct  any  irregularities  offen- 
sive to  the  people,  of  which  they  might  have 
been  guilty. 

Congress  seem  to  have  entertained  respecting 
the  Canadians,  the  opinion  expressed  by  gene- 
ral Washington  in  a  letter  to  general  Schuyler, 
"  that  the  province  could  only  be  secured  by 
laying  hold  of  the  affections  of  the  people,  and 
engaging  them  heartily  in  the  common  cause." 
With  respect  to  individuals  who  had  suffered 
for  their  adherence  to  the  Americans,  they  pur- 
sued the  same  magnanimous  policy  which  had 
been  adopted  with  regard  to  general  Lee  and 
and  others.... they  indemnified  the  sufferers. 

In  the  mean  time  Arnold  maintained,  under  all 
his  difficulties,  the  blockade  of  Quebec.  The  re-  Blockade 
enforcements  ordered  by  congress  were  of  ne-  contufJa. 
cessity  slow  in  arriving.  The  great  distance  of 
the  march,  and  the  difficulty  and  delay  in  fitting 
the  soldier  for  the  extreme  severity  of  the  winter 
in  that  cold  region,  made  it  impracticable  even 
for  those  battalions  which  were  already  raised, 
and  which,  on  the  first  intelligence  of  the  dis- 
aster of  the  31st  of  December,  had  been  ordered 
to  his  assistance,  to  reach  him  until  the  spring. 
Aware  of  the  urgency  of  his  situation,  they 
were  pressed  forward  in  small  detachments,  as 
fast  as  they  could  possibly  be  prepared;  but 


350  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- v-  such  were  the  difficulties  to  be  surmounted,  that 
1776.  they  could  do  little  more  than  supply  the  places 
of  the  discharged,  and  keep  up  the  show  of  an 
army,  incapable  of  efficient  service.  From  the 
first  of  January  to  the  first  of  March,  his  effec- 
tives had  never  exceeded  seven  hundred,  and 
had  often  been  as  low  as  five  hundred  men.  In 
March,  re-enforcements  arrived  in  greater  num- 
bers, and  the  army  was  increased  to  a  total  of 
seventeen  hundred;  but  many  of  them  were 
sick.  The  small-pox  had  made  its  way  into 
camp,  and  every  attempt  to  remove  it  was  ren- 
dered ineffectual  by  the  soldiers,  who,  disregard- 
ing all  orders,  procured  themselves  privately  to 
be  inoculated. 

In  order  to  render  in  any  degree  effectual  the 
blockade  of  Quebec,  this  small  army,  w<hich 
occupied  the  island  of  Orleans  and  both  sides 
of  the  St.  Lawrence,  was  unavoidably  spread 
over  a  circuit  of  twenty-six  miles,  and  divided 
by  three  ferries.  About  fourteen  hundred  of 
them,  were  inlisted  to  serve  only  until  the  15th 
of  April,  and  no  hope  was  entertained  that  they 
could  be  prevailed  on  to  continue  for  a  longer 

time.  Under  these  circumstances  the  establish- 
i\  * 

ment  of  exact  discipline  was  impossible.    Great 

irregularities  and  waste  of  public  stores  pre- 
vailed; and,  notwithstanding  the  earnest  and 
explicit  directions  both  of  congress  and  general 
Washington,  continually  enforced  by  general 
Schuyler,  the  Canadians  were  often  injured  and 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  351 

irritated.    There  is  reason  to  believe  that  even  CHAP.V. 


general  Arnold  was  disposed  to  think  himself    1776. 
in  the  country  of  an  enemy,  and  did  not  exert, 
in  repressing  those  disorders,  the  same  energy 
which  he  always  displayed  so  conspicuously  in 
the  field. 

The  utmost  exertions  of  congress  could  not 
furnish  a  sufficient  quantity  of  specie  for  this 
distant  and  expensive  expedition;  and,  as  the 
consumption  of  provisions  by  the  troops  ex- 
ceeded the  supplies  furnished  by  general  Schuy- 
ler,  whose  attention  to  the  complicated  duties 
of  his  station  was  as  incessant,  as  it  was  judi- 
ciously directed;  it  was  thought  necessary  by 
general  Arnold,  (in  order  to  pay  for  provisions, 
as  well  as  for  other  services  rendered  by  the 


country  people,  to  issue  a  proclamation  making  March 4. 
paper  money  a  currency,  promising  to  redeem 
it  in  four  months,  and  declaring  those  to  be 
enemies  who  should  refuse  it.  It  will  readily 
be  imagined  that  the  Canadians  were  unwilling 
to  exchange  their  property,  or  labour,  for  this 
article,  and  that  few  would  receive  it,  but  with 
reluctance.  This  circumstance  affected  in  no 
inconsiderable  degree  their  attachment.  They 
were  disappointed  too  in  the  force  brought  by 
the  Americans  into  their  country ;  which  was 
by  no  means  such  as  they  had  expected.  In 
addition  to  these  causes  of  dissatisfaction,  the 
priests,  who  possessed  great  influence  over  the 
mass  of  the  people,  and  who  were  never  as  a 


352  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  v.  body,   cordial  in  the  American  interest,   had 
1776.    been,    since  the  death  of  Montgomery,   very 
injudiciously  neglected;    and  had  become  al- 
most universally  hostile  to  the  views  of  the 
United  Colonies. 

General  Carleton,  who  was  no  stranger  to  the 
revolution  which  was  taking  place  in  the  minds 
of  the  Canadians,  entertained  the  hope  of  rai- 
sing the  siege  by  their  assistance.  A  detach- 
ment of  about  sixty  men  from  the  garrison  of 
Quebec,  landed  twelve  leagues  below  the  town 
on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  and  were  joined 
by  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  Canadians,  who, 
under  the  command  of  a  mr.  Beaujieu,  siezed 
a  provision  convoy  designed  for  the  American 
camp.  They  were  rapidly  increasing  in  num- 
bers, when  they  were  suddenly  and  unex- 
pectedly attacked  by  a  detachment  sent  by 
Arnold,  of  about  eighty  men,  under  major 
Dubois,  who  surprised  their  advance  guard, 
killed  seven,  wounded  a  few,  and  took  thirty- 
eight  prisoners ;  on  which  the  main  body  dis- 
persed. 

The  season  of  the  year  now  approached  when 
re-enforcements  from  England  would  be  cer- 
tain; and  notwithstanding  the  feeble  state  in 
,  which  their  army  still  continued,  the  Americans 
deemed  it  indispensably  necessary  to  recom- 
mence their  active  operations,  and  to  renew  the 
siege.  They  now  again  erected  their  batteries, 
and  on  the  first  of  April,  just  as  they  were 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  353 

about  to  open  them,  general  Wooster  arrived  CHAP.V. 
from  Montreal,  and  took  the  command.     The     1/76 
next  day  the  batteries  were  opened,  but  with-     April 2. 
out  much  effect.   They  had  not  weight  of  metal 
to  make  a  breach  in  the  wall,  nor  an  engineer 
capable  of  directing  a  siege,   nor  artillerists 
who  understood  the  management  of  the  pieces. 
The  few  troops  of  this  description  originally 
belonging    to    the    army    were    prisoners    in 
Quebec. 

The  day  after  the  arrival  of  Wooster,  Ar- 
nold's horse  fell  with  him,  and  so  bruised  the 
leg  which  had  been  wounded,  as  to  confine 
him  for  some  time  to  his  bed.  Believing 
himself  to  be  neglected,  he  obtained  leave  of 
absence  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  move,  and 
took  the  command  at  Montreal. 

Some  fire  ships  had  been  prepared  both  at 
Orleans,  and  point  aux  Trembles,  to  be  used 
against  the  vessels  in  the  harbour  so  soon  as 
the  ice  would  permit  the  operation.  The  diffi- 
culties usually  attending  such  an  enterprise 
were  greatly  augmented,  by  the  want  of  sailors, 
and  of  a  skillful  commander  to  conduct  them. 
The  attempt,  however,  was  made  with  great 
boldness,  and  the  ship  from  Orleans  very  nearly 
succeeded.  Coming  from  below  she  was  at 
first  mistaken  for  a  friend,  and  proceeded  in 
the  night,  very  near  the  cul  de  sac  where  the 
vessels  lay,  before  her  character  was  discovered. 
The  fire  from  the  enemy  instantly  opened,  on 

VOL.  n. 


354  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.V.  receiving  which,  the  train  was  immediately 
1776.  lighted;  but  the  sails  caught  the  flames  so 
quickly,  as  to  lose  the  benefit  of  the  wind,  and 
stop  the  progress  of  the  vessel,  just  at  which 
time  the  ebb  tide  commencing,  carried  her 
down  the  river.  The  American  army  which 
had  been  drawn  up,  prepared  if  this  plan  had 
succeeded  to  take  advantage  of  the  confusion 
k  would  occasion,  had  the  mortification  to 
witness  its  failure  after  the  most  sanguine  and 
encouraging  appearances. 

A  considerable  part  of  the  army  having 
become  entitled  to  a  discharge,  no  inducement 
could  prevail  on  them  to  continue  longer  in  so 
April  is.  severe  a  service.  This  deduction  from  Woos- 
ter's  force  was  the  more  sensibly  felt,  because 
the  present  situation  of  the  roads,  the  lakes, 
and  the  St.  Lawrence,  unavoidably  impeded, 
for  a  time,  the  arrival  of  the  re-enforcements 
destined  for  his  aid.  The  roads  were  so  deep 
as  to  be  nearly  impassable,  the  ice  had  become 
too  soft  for  the  use  of  sleds,  and  had  not  broke 
up  so  as  to  admit  the  passage  of  boats. 

Among  the  first  who  reached  camp,  after 

this  state  of  things  took  place,   was  general 

Thomas,    wh»,   after   being  appointed  to  the 

command  in  Canada,  had  made  great  exertions 

Ti"nm      to  join  the  army.     He  arrived  on  the  first  of 

m^uof"1'    May,  and  on  examining  its  force,  found  it  to 

consist  of  a  total  of  nineteen  hundred,  of  whom 

less  than  one  thousand,  including  officers,  were 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  355 

fit  for  duty.  Among  the  effectives,  were  three  CHAP.V. 
hundred  entitled  to  a  discharge,  who  refused  1775. 
to  do  duty,  and  insisted  importunately  on  being 
immediately  dismissed.  The  sick  were  gene- 
rally ill  of  the  small  pox,  in  the  hospital.  This 
small  force  was  still  more  enfeebled  by  being 
unavoidably  divided,  so  as  to  occupy  different 
posts  which  it  had  been  deemed  necessary  to 
maintain,  at  great  distances  from  each  other, 
and  on  different  sides  of  the  St.  Lawrence.  Irr 
consequence  of  this  division,  it  was  impracti- 
cable to  bring  together  more  than  three  hundred 
men  at  any  one  point,  which  might  be  attacked 
by  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy.  In  all  the 
magazines  there  were  but  one  hundred  and 
fifty  barrels  of  powder,  and  six  days  provisions; 
nor  could  adequate  supplies  from  the  country 
people  be  relied  on,  as  the  Canadians  no  longer 
manifested  any  disposition  to  serve  them. 

The  river  too  was  beginning  to  open  below, 
and  no  doubt  could  be  entertained,  that  the  first 
moment  of  its  being  practicable,  would  be 
seized  by  the  enemy,  for  the  relief  of  this  very 
important  place.  Amidst  these  unpromising 
circumstances,  the  hope  of  taking  Quebec, 
appeared  to  general  Thomas  to  be  entirely 
chimerical,  and  a  longer  continuance  before 
the  town  both  useless  and  dangerous.  It  was 
apparent  that  the  first  re-enforcements  which 
should  arrive  would  deprive  him  entirely  of  the 
use  of  the  river,  and  consequently  would  very 
z  z  2 


356  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.V.  much  embarrass  the  removal  of  his  sick,  and 
1776.  military  stores.  No  existing  object  remained 
to  justify  this  hazard. 

Under  these  impressions,  general  Thomas 
called  a  council  of  war  on  the  fifth  of  May,  in 
which  it  was  unanimously  determined,  that 
c?^'Sade  tne}'  were  not  in,  a  condition  to  risk  an  assault, 
X(l  and  that  the  sick  should  be  removed  to  the 
Three  Rivers,  and  the  artillery  and  other  stores 
embarked  in  their  boats,  in  order  to  move  with 
the  army  higher  up  the  river,  to  a  more  defen- 
sible position.  On  the  evening  of  the  same 
day  certain  intelligence  was  received  that  a 
British  fleet  was  below;  and  the  next  morning 
five  of  their  ships,  which  had  with  much  la- 
bour and  danger  made  their  way  up  the  river 
through  the  ice  before  it  was  deemed  practi- 
cable, appeared  in  sight.  They  soon  entered 
the  harbour  and  landed  some  men,  whilst  the 
Americans  were  assiduously  employed  in  the 
embarkation  of  their  sick  and  stores ;  an  ope- 
ration carried  on  the  more  slowly,  because  the 
first  appearance  of  the  ships  in  the  river  deprived 
them  tot;iily,of  the  aid  expected  from  the  teams 
and  carriages,  of  the  Canadians. 

At  one  o'clock  Carleton  made  a  sortie  at  the 
head  of  about  one  thousand  men,  formed  in 
two  divisions,  and  supported  by  six  field  pieces. 

No  intrenchments  had  been  thrown  up  for 
the  defence  of  the  camp,  and  but  three  hundred 
men  with  one  field  piece,  constituted  the  force 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  357 

which  could  be  brought  into  action.  Thus  CHAP. v. 
circumstanced,  victory  was  scarcely  possible,  1776. 
and  could  have  produced  no  important  effect, 
as  the  enemy  would  immediately  retire  under 
the  cannon  of  the  town;  while  defeat  would 
certainly  annihilate  his  little  army.  General 
Thomas  therefore,  with  the  advice  of  the  field 
officers  about  him,  determined  not  to  risk  an 
action,  and  ordered  his  troops  to  retreat  up  the 
river.  This  was  done  with  much  precipitation, 
and  many  of  the  sick,  with  all  the  military 
stores,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Unfor- 
tunately, to  their  quantity  were  added  two  tons 
of  powder  just  sent  down  by  general  Schuyler, 
and  five  hundred  stand  of  small  arms. 

Much  to  the  honour  of  general  Carleton,  he 
pursued  the  wise  and  humane  policy  of  treating 
with  great  gentleness,  the  sick  and  other  pri- 
soners that  fell  into  his  hands. 

The  falls  of  Richelieu  had  been  contemplated 
as  a  place  of  great  natural  strength,  which,  by- 
being  fortified  and  defended  by  a  few  armed  ves- 
sels, might,  in  the  event  of  failing  in  the  attempt 
on  Quebec,  stop  the  progress  of  the  enemy  up 
the  river,  and  thus  preserve  the  greater  part  of 
Canada.  General  Montgomery  had  strongly 
recommended  an  early  attention  to  this  po- 
sition, and  it  had  been  determined  to  fortify 
it;  but  the  measures  resolved  on,  liad  not  been 
executed.  Some  armed  gondolas  were  building 
up  the  river,  but  had  not  been  completed  in 


358  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. v.  time;  and  in  the  present  state  of  that  place,  it 
1776.    was  entirely  impracticable  to  maintain  it. 

The  army  continued  its  retreat  to  De  Cham- 
beau,  where  on  the  seventh,  another  council 
was  called,  in  which  it  was  agreed  that  they 
should  retire  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel.  The 
ships  of  the  enemy  were  pressing  up  the  river, 
and  were  then  at  Jaques  C  artier  about  three 
leagues  below  De  Chambeau,  and,  as  they  had 
no  means  of  stopping  them  at  the  falls  of 
Richelieu,  would  soon  be  above  so  as  to  sub- 
ject the  troops  in  their  present  position,  to  the 
same  disadvantages  to  which  they  had  been 
exposed  before  Quebec.  In  pursuance  of  this 
advice,  the  remaining  sick  were  moved  up  the 
river ;  but  general  Thomas  was  determined  to 
continue  in  his  present  position  some  time 
longer,  by  the  information  that  large  re-en- 
forcements were  now  passing  the  lakes,  and 
might  daily  be  expected;  but  those  re-enforce- 
ments not  arriving  as  his  intelligence  had  in- 
duced him  to  hope,  and  the  enemy  advancing 
in  force,  he  was  obliged  to  retreat  to  the  Sorel, 
where  he  was  seized  with  the  small-pox,  of 
which  he  died. 

The  Americans  in  general  were  by  no  means 
satisfied  with  the  conduct  of  this  gentleman, 
to  whom  they,  in  some  degree,  attributed  the 
disasters  which  ruined  their  affairs  in  Canada. 
This  censure,  however,  was  entirely  unjust. 
He  took  command  of  the  army  when  it  was  too 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  359 

weak  to  maintain  its  ground;   and  when  the  CHAP.V. 
time  for  saving  the  sick  and  military  stores 
had  passed  away. 

The  siege  of  Quebec,  instead  of  being  per- 
severed in  longer,  ought  certainly  to  have  been 
abandoned  at  an  earlier  period.  This  was  the 
real  fault  of  those  who  commanded  at  this 
station.  It  is  to  be  ascribed  to  the  extreme 
reluctance  always  felt  by  inexperienced  officers 
to  disappoint  the  public  expectation,  by  re- 
linquishing an  enterprise,  concerning  which 
sanguine  hopes  have  been  entertained,  even 
after  every  reasonable  prospect  of  success  had 
vanished,  and  to  encounter  the  obloquy  of 
giving  up  a  post,  although  it  can  no  longer  be 
with  prudence  defended.  In  the  perseverance 
with  which  the  siege  of  Quebec  was  maintained, 
these  motives  operated  with  all  their  force,  and 
they  received  an  addition,  from  the  unwilling- 
ness felt  by  the  Americans  to  abandon  those  of 
their  friends  who  had  taken  so  decisive  a  part 
in  their  favour,  as  to  be  incapable  of  remaining 
in  safety  behind  them. 

Whilst  the  power  of  the  United  Colonies  in 
Canada  was  thus  visibly  declining,  and  their 
troops  were  driven  by  superior  numbers  from 
the  vicinity  of  Quebec,  a  calamity  entirely 
unlocked  for  befell  them  in  a  different  quarter 
of  the  same  province. 

As  the  English  were  still  in  possession  of 
several  military  posts  in  upper  Canada,  many 


360 

CHAP,  v.  considerations  rendered  it  proper  to  station  a 

1776.  body  of  troops  above  Montreal.  A  point  of 
land  called  the  Cedars,  about  forty  miles  above 
that  place,  which  was  recommended  by  the 
facility  with  which  it  might  be  defended,  was 
selected  for  this  purpose.  It  projected  deep 
into  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  could  only  be  ap- 
proached on  one  side.  To  this  place  colonel 
Bedel  had  been  detached,  with  three  hundred 
and  ninety  continental  troops,  and  two  fit -id 
pieces,  which  he  mounted  in  some  slight  \vorks 
he  had  thrown  up  for  security.  Against  this 
post,  general  Carleton  had  very  early  in  the 
spring  planned  an  expedition,  the  execution  of 
which  was  committed  to  captain  Forster,  who 
commanded  at  a  post  held  by  the  English  on 

May  n.  Oswegachie.  He  set  out  with  a  company  of 
regulars,  and  a  few  savages,  and  having  pre- 
vailed on  the  warriors  of  a  tribe  of  Indians 
inhabiting  the  intermediate  country  to  join  in 

May  17.  the  expedition,  he  appeared  before  the  works 
of  the  Americans  with  about  six  hundred  men. 
Two  days  previous  to  his  appearance,  colonel 
Bedel  had  received  intelligence  of  his  approach, 
and  leaving  the  fort  lo  be  commanded  by  major 
Butterfield,  had  proceeded  himself  to  Montreal 
to  solicit  assistance.  Arnold,  who  then  com- 
manded at  that  place,  immediately  detached 
major  Sherburne  to  the  Cedars  with  one  hun- 
dred men,  while  he  prepared  to  follow  in  person 
at  the  head  of  a  much  larger  force. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  35 ^ 

Captain  Forster  on  his  first  appearance,  sent  CHAP.V. 
in  a  flag  requiring  a  surrender,  and  major  1776. 
Butterfield  offered  to  capitulate  and  give  up  the 
fort,  on  being  permitted  to  withdraw  with  the 
garrison  and  all  their  baggage,  to  Montreal. 
These  terms  were  refused,  and,  the  assailants 
being  entirely  destitute  of  artillery,  the  fort 
was  attacked  with  musketry.  By  this  mode  of 
attack  no  serious  impression  could  possibly  be 
made,  and  in  the  course  of  two  days  only  one 
man  was  wounded.  Yet  major  Butterfield, 
intimidated  by  the  threat,  that  if  any  Indians 
should  be  killed  during  the  siege,  it  would  be 
out  of  the  power  of  captain  Forster  to  restrain 
them  from  massacreing  every  individual  of  the 
garrison,  consented  to  a  capitulation,  by  which 
he  and  his  whole  party  were  made  prisoners  of 
war,  only  stipulating  for  their  baggage  and 
their  lives. 

The  next  day,  major  Sherburne  approached 
without  having  received  any  information  that 
Butterfield  had  surrendered.  Within  about 
.<  four  miles  of  the  Cedars,  he  was  attacked  by  a 
considerable  body  of  Indians,  and  he  too,  after 
a  conflict  of  near  an  hour,  in  the  course  of 
which  a  party  of  the  enemy  gained  his  rear, 
surrendered  at  discretion. 

Having  obtained  information  of  these  un- 
toward events,  Arnold,  at  the  head  of  seven 
hundred  men  marched  against  the  enemy  then 
at  Vaudreuilj  in  the  hope  of  recovering  the 

VOL.    II.  3  A 


362  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  v.  American  prisoners.  When  preparing  for  the 
1776.  engagement,  he  received  a  flag,  accompanied 
by  major  Sherburne,  giving  him  the  most 
positive  assurances,  that  if  he  persisted  in  his 
design  to  attack  the  enemy,  it  would  be  entirely 
out  of  the  power  of  captain  Forster  to  prevent 
his  savages  from  pursuing  their  horrid  customs, 
and  disencumbering  themselves  of  their  pri- 
soners by  putting  every  man  to  death.  This 
massacre  was  already  threatened,  and  major 
Sherburne  confirmed  the  communication  in  a 
manner  too  serious  to  admit  of  its  being  ques- 
tioned. Under  the  influence  of  this  threat, 
Arnold  desisted  from  his  purpose,  and  agreed  to 
a  cartel,  by  which  the  prisoners  were  delivered 
up  to  him,  he  agreeing,  among  other  things, 
to  deliver  others  in  exchange  for  them,  and  that 
they  should  immediately  return  to  their  homes. 
Hostages  were  given  as  a  security  for  the  per- 
formance of  these  stipulations;  but  congress 
long  discovered  much  unwillingness  to  observe 
them.8 

At  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  after  the  death  of 

general  Thomas,   re-enforcements  assembled, 

June4-     which  increased  the  army  to  about  four  or  five 

sum™       thousand  men.    General  Sullivan  now  came  up, . 

eompand.     and  the  command  devolved  on  him. 

The  friendly  Canadians  in  that  part  of  the 
country,  who  had  supposed  themselves  aban- 
doned, manifested  great  joy  on  seeing  general 

8  Journals  of  Congress. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  353 

Sullivan  arrive  with  re-enforcements  which  ap-  CHAP.V. 
peared  to  them  very  considerable;  and  offered    1776. 
every  assistance  in  their  power.    He  calculated 
on  their  joining  him  in  very  great  numbers, 
and  entertained  sanguine  hopes  of  recovering 
and  maintaining  the  post  of  De  Chambeau. 
As  a  previous  measure,    it  was  necessary  to 
dislodge  the  enemy  at  the  Three  Rivers. 

Carleton  was  not  immediately  in  a  situation 
to  follow  up  the  blow  given  the  Americans  at 
Quebec,  and  to  drive  them  entirely  out  of  the 
province ;  but  the  respite  allowed  them  was  not 
of  long  duration. 

Towards  the  end  of  May,  large  re-enforce- 
ments arrived  from  England  and  Ireland,  so 
that  the  British  army  in  Canada  amounted  to 
about  thirteen  thousand  men.  The  general 
rendezvous  appointed  for  these  troops  was  at 
the  Three  Rivers,  a  long  village  about  midway 
between  Quebec  and  Montreal,  which  receives 
its  name  from  its  contiguity  to  a  river  that 
empties  itself,  by  three  mouths,  into  the  St. 
Lawrence.1  The  army  was  greatly  divided. 
A  considerable  body  had  reached  the  Three 
Rivers,  and  was  stationed  there  under  the  com- 
mand of  general  Frazer.  Another  under  gene- 
ral Nesbit  lay  near  them  on  board  the  transports. 
A  greater  than  either,  with  the  generals 
Carleton,  Burgoyne,  Philips,  and  the  German 

1  Annual  Register. 

3  A  2 


364  THE  L1FE  OF 

CHAP.V.  general  Reidesel,  was  on  its  way  from  Quebec. 
1776.  The  distance  from  the  Sorel  was  about  fifty 
miles,  and  several  armed  vessels  and  transports 
full  of  troops,  which  had  gotten  about  five 
miles  higher  up  than  the  Three  Rivers,  lay  full 
in  the  way. 

General  Thompson,  who  had  commanded 
the  army  after  the  illness  of  general  Thomas, 
understanding  the  party  at  the  Three  Rivers 
to  consist  of  about  eight  hundred  men,  partly 
Canadians  under  M' Clean,  had  detached  colonel 
St.  Clair  with  between  six  and  seven  hundred 
men  to  attack  his  camp,  if  it  should  appear 
practicable  to  do  so  with  any  probability  of 
success.  Colonel  St.  Clair  advanced  to  Nicolet, 
where,  believing  himself  not  strong  enough 
for  the  service  on  which  lie  had  been  ordered, 
he  waited  until  he  should  receive  further  re- 
enforcements  or  additional  instructions.  At 
this  time,  general  Sullivan  came  up,  and  un- 
derstanding the  enemy  to  be  very  weak  at 
the  Three  Rivers,  ordered  general  Thompson 
to  join  colonel  St.  Clair  at  Nicolet,  with  a  re- 
enforcement  of  between  thirteen  and  fourteen 
hundred  men,  and  to  take  command  of  the 
whole  detachment,  which  would  then  amount 
to  about  tv:o  thousand.  With  this  detachment, 
general  Thompson  was  to  attack  the  enemy  at 
the  Three  Rivers,  provided  there  was  a  favour- 
able prospect  of  success. 

General  Thompson  embarked  in  boats  pro- 
vided for  the  purpose,  and  coasting  the  south 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  365 

side  of  what  is  called  the  lake  St.  Peter,  where  CHAP-  v- 
the  St.  Lawrence  spreads  to  a  great  extent,     1776. 
arrived  at  Nicolet,  where  he  joined  colonel  St. 
Clair.     Believing   himself   strong    enough  to 
execute  the  service  consigned  to  him,  as  his 
intelligence  respecting  the  enemy  was  contra- 
dictory,   making    them   from    five    to    fifteen 
hundred,  he  fell  down  the  river  by  night,  and 
passed  to  the  other  side,  with  an  intention  of 
surprising   the  forces   under    general    Frazer. 

The  plan  was  to  attack  the  village  a  little  before 

break  of  day,  at  the  same  instant,  by  a  strong    J*™8- 
detachment  at  each  end;   whilst  two  smaller 
corps    were   drawn    up  to  cover  and  support 
them. 

Though  this  plan  was  well  laid,  and  consi- 
derable resolution  was  discovered  in  its  execu- 
tion, the  concurrence  of  too  many  circum- 
stances were  necessary  to  give  it  success.  It 
is  probable  that  so  hazardous  an  attempt  would 
not  have  been  made,  but  for  a  resolution  of 
congress,  stating  the  absolute  necessity  of 
keeping  possession  of  that  country,  and  their 
expectation  that  the  force  in  that  department 
would  contest  every  foot  of  ground  with  the 
enemy.  The  troops  passed  the  armed  vessels 
without  being  perceived,  but  arrived  at  Three 
Rivers  about  an  hour  later  than  had  been  in- 
tended; in  consequence  of  which,  they  were 
discovered,  and  the  alarm  given  at  their  landing. 
They  were  fired  on  by  the  ships  in  the  river, 
to  avoid  which  they  attempted  to  pass  through 


366  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- v-  what  appeared  to  be  a  point  of  woods,  but  was 
1776.  in  reality  a  deep  morass  three  miles  in  extent. 
They  were  detained  some  time  in  these  bad 
grounds,  and  thrown  into  considerable  con- 
fusion. These  delays  gave  general  Frazer  full 
time  to  land  some  field  pieces,  and  prepare 
completely  for  their  reception,  while  general 
Nesbit  fell  in  their  rear,  and  entirely  cut  off 
their  return  to  the  boats.  They  advanced  to 
the  charge,  but  were  soon  repulsed,  and  find- 
ing it  impracticable  to  return  the  way  they 
Battle  of  the  came,  were  driven  some  miles  throuerh  a  deep 

TTiree  Rivers 

swamp,  which  they  traversed  with  inconceiv- 
able toil,  and  every  degree  of  distress.  The 
British  at  length  gave  over  the  pursuit. 

In  this  unfortunate  enterprise,  general 
Thompson,  and  colonel  Irwin,  second  in  com- 
mand, with  about  two  hundred  men  were  made 
prisoners;  and  from  twenty  to  thirty  were 
killed.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  extremely 
inconsiderable.11 

The  whole  military  force  in  Canada  now 
amounted  to  about  eight  thousand  men,  but 
of  this  not  one  half  were  fit  for  duty.  The  rest 
were  in  hospitals,  principally  under  the  small- 
pox. About  two  thousand  five  hundred  effec- 
tives were  with  general  Sullivan  at  the  Sorel. 
The  whole  were  in  a  state  of  total  insubordina- 
tion, much  harassed  with  fatigue,  and  dispirited 
by  their  late  losses,  by  the  visible  superiority 

u  Annual  Register. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  357 

of  the  enemy,   and  by  the  apprehension  that  CHAP.V. 
their  retreat  would  be  entirely  cut  off.     Under     1776. 
all  these  discouraging  circumstances,  general 
Sullivan  formed  the  rash  determination  of  de- 
fending the  post  at  Sorel ;  and  was  only  induced 
by  the  unanimous  opinion  of  his  officers,  and 
a  conviction  that  the  troops  would  not  support 

him,  to  abandon  it  a  few  hours  before  the  ene- 

my  took  possession  of  it.     The  same  causes    J""e  14- 
drew  him  reluctantly  from  Chamblee  and  St. 


Johns;  but  he  resolved  to  remain  at  the  isle  E'ghteenth- 
Aux  Noix  until  he  should  receive  orders  to 
retreat.  He  had  been  joined  at  St.  Johns  by 
general  Arnold,  who  had  crossed  over  at 
Longueisle  just  in  time  to  save  the  garrison  of 
Montreal  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy. 

The  isle  Aux  Noix  is  a  low  unhealthy  place 
badly  supplied  with  water,  where  the  troops 
were  so  universally  seized  with  fevers,  as  to 
compel  general  Sullivan  to  retire  to  the  isle 
Lamotte,  where  he  received  the  orders  of 
general  Schuyler  to  embark  on  the  lakes  for 
Crown  Point. 

The  armed  vessels  on  the  Sorel  and  St. 
Lawrence  were  destroyed,  and  the  fortifications 
of  Chamblee  and  St.  Johns  set  on  fire.  All  the 
baggage  of  the  army,  and  nearly  all  the  military 
stores  were  saved. 

The  British  army,  during  this  whole  retreat, 
had  followed  close  in  the  rear,  and  took  pos- 
session of  the  different  posts  the  Americans  had 


368  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  v.  occupied,  immediately  after  they  were  evacu- 
1776.    ated. 

On  the  Sorel  the  pursuit  stopped.  The 
Americans  had  the  command  of  the  lake,  and 
the  British  general  deemed  it  prudent  to  wrest 
it  from  them  before  he  advanced  further.  To 
effect  this,  it  was  necessary  to  construct  a 
number  of  vessels,  which  required  time  and 
labour.  Meanwhile,  general  Gates  was  ordered 
to  take  command  of  this  army,  which  was 
directed  to  be  re-enforced  with  six  thousand 
militia.  Of  these,  three  thousand  were  to  be 
furnished  by  Massachussetts,  fifteen  hundred 
by  Connecticut,  seven  hundred  and  fifty  by 
New  Hampshire,  and  the  same  number  by 
New  York. 

Canada  Thus    terminated    the    enterprise    against 

evacuated. 

Canada.  It  was  a  bold,  and  at  one  period 
promised  to  be  a  successful  effort,  to  annex  that 
extensive  province  to  the  United  Colonies. 
The  dispositions  of  the  Canadians  greatly 
favoured  the  measure,  and  had  Quebec  fallen, 
there  is  reason  to  believe  the  whole  colony 
would  have  entered  cordially  into  the  union. 
Had  a  few  incidents  turned  out  fortunately; 
had  Arnold  been  able  to  reach  Quebec  a  few 
days  sooner,  or  to  have  crossed  the  St.  Law- 
rence on  his  first  arrival;  or  had  the  gallant 
Montgomery  not  fallen  in  the  assault  of  the 
31st  of  December;  it  is  probable  the  expedition 
would  have  been  crowned  with  complete  suc- 
cess. But  the  radical  causes  of  failure,  putting 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  359 

fortune  out  of  the  question,  were  to  be  found  CHAP.V. 
in 'the  lateness  of  the  season  when  the  troops  1776. 
were  assembled,  in  a  defect  of  the  preparations 
necessary  for  such  a  service,  and  still  more  in 
the  shortness  of  the  time  for  which  the  men 
were  inlisted.  A  committee  of  congress,  ap- 
pointed to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the  mis- 
carriages in  Canada,  reported,  "  that  the  short 
inlistments  of  the  continental  troops  in  Canada, 
have  been  one  great  cause  of  the  miscarriages 
there,  by  rendering  unstable  the  number  of 
.  men  engaged  in  military  enterprises,  by  making 
them  disorderly  and  disobedient  to  their  officers, 
and  by  precipitating  the  commanding  officers 
into  measures  which  their  prudence  might 
have  postponed,  could  they  have  relied  on  a 
longer  continuance  of  their  troops  in  service : 

"  That  the  want  of  hard  money  had  been  one 
other  great  cause  of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada, 
rendering  the  supplies  of  necessaries  difficult 
and  precarious,  the  '  establishment  of  proper 
magazines  absolutely  impracticable,  and  the 
pay  of  the  troops  of  but  little  use  to  them. 

"  That  a  still  greater,  and  more  fatal  source 
of  misfortunes,  has  been  the  prevalence  of  the 
small-pox  in  that  army;  a  great  proportion 
whereof  has  thereby  been  usually  kept  unfit  for 
duty." 

A  committee  was  also  appointed  to  inquire 
into  the  conduct  of  general  Wooster,  who 
acquitted  him  of  all  blame. 

VOL.    II.  3  B 


370  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.V.  But  had  the  expedition  been  crowned  with 
1776.  the  most  complete  success,  the  practicability 
of  maintaining  the  country,  is  very  much  to  be 
doubted.  Whilst  general  Montgomery  lay 
before  Quebec,  and  counted  on  obtaining  pos- 
session of  the  place,  he  extended  his  views  to 
its  preservation.  His  plan  required  a  permanent 
army  often  thousand  men,  strong  fortifications 
at  Jaques  Cartier  and  the  rapids  of  Richelieu, 
and  armed  vessels  in  the  river  above  the  latter 
place.  With  this  army,  and  these  precautions, 
he  thought  the  country  might  be  defended,  but 
not  with  an  inferior  force. 

Experience  has  fully  demonstrated  the  utter 
impossibility  of  keeping  up  such  a  force  at  that 
time,  at  such  a  distance  from  the  strong  parts 
of  the  union.  The  want  of  specie  alone,  had 
there  not  been-  other  causes  powerfully  co- 
operating with  it,  would  have  forced  the  Ame- 
ricans to  evacuate  the  country,  unless  the 
Canadians  could  have  been  prevailed  on  to 
consider  themselves  as  principals  in  the  war, 
and  to  give  paper  money  the  same  currency 
which  it  received  in  the  United  Colonies. 

It  seems  then  to  have  been  an  enterprise, 
requiring  means  beyond  those  in  the  command 
of  congress;  and  the  strength  exhausted  on  it 
would  have  been  more  judiciously  employed, 
in  preparing  to  secure  the  command  of  the 
lakes,  and  the  fortified  towns  upon  them. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  371 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Transactions  in  Virginia.. ..Action  at  the  Great  Bridge.... 
Norfolk  evacuated.. ..And  burnt.... Transactions  of  North 
Carolina.. ..Action  at  Moore's  creek  bridge....Invasion 
of  South  Carolina.. ..British  fleet  repulsed  at  fort  Moul- 
trie.... Transactions  in  New  York. ...Measures  leading  to 
Independence.. ..Independence  declared. 

WHILST  the  war  was  carried  on  thus  vigo- 
rously in  the  north,  the  southern  colonies  were 

not   entirely   unemployed.       The    convention     1775. 

Ju^y* 
which  met  at  Richmond  in  Virginia  proceeded 

to  put  the  colony  in  a  posture  of  defence.     It  Transactions 

in  Virginia. 

was  determined  to  raise  two  regiments  of  regu- 
lar troops  for  one  year,  and  to  inlist  a  part  of 
the  militia  as  minute  men,  who  should  encamp 
by  regiments  for  a  certain  number  of  days  in 
the  spring  and  fall,  for  the  purpose  of  training; 
and  should  at  all  times  be  ready  to  march,  at  a 
minute's  warning,  to  any  part  of  the  colony  for 
its  defence. 

Lord  Dunmore,  who  was  joined  by  such  of 
his  friends  as  had  become  too  obnoxious  to  the 
people  in  general  to  be  permitted  to  reside  in 
safety  among  them,  and  by  a  number  of  slaves 
whom  he  encouraged  to  run'  away  from  their 
masters,  and  whom  he  furnished  with  arms,  •• 
was  collecting,  under  cover  of  the  ships  of  war 
on  that  station,  a  considerable  naval  force, 
which  threatened  to  be  extremely  troublesome 
SB  2 


372  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vi.  in  a  country  so  intersected  with  large  navi-. 
1775.  gable  rivers,  as  the  colony  of  Virginia.  With 
October,  this  force  he  carried  on  a  small  predatory  war, 
and  at  length  attempted  to  burn  the  town 
of  Hampton.  The  inhabitants  having  received 
some  intimation  of  this  design,  gave  notice  of 
it  to  the  commanding  officer  at  Williamsburg, 
where  some  regulars  and  minute  men  were. sta- 
tioned, two  companies  of  whom  were  detached 
to  their  assistance.  Having  inarched  all  night, 
they  reached  the  town  in  the  morning,  just 
as  the  ships  had  begun  to  cannonade  it.  This 
re-enforcement  throwing  themselves  into  the 
houses  near  the  water*,  and  firing  from  thence, 
with  their  small  arms,  into  the  vessels,  soon 

October  2s.  obliged  them  to  retreat  precipitately  from 
their  stations,  with  the  loss  of  a  few  men  and 
a  tender  which  was  captured. 

In  consequence  of  this  repulse,  his  lordship 

November  7.  proclaimed  martial  law,  and  summoned  all  per- 
sons capable  of  bearing  arms  to  repair  to  the 
royal  standard,  or  be  considered  as  traitors ; 
and  offered  freedom  to  all  indented  servants 
and  slaves  who  would  join  him. 

This  proclamation  made  some  impression 
about  Norfolk,  and  the  governor  collected  such 
a  force  of  the  disaffected  and  negroes,  as  gave 
him  an  entire  ascendency  in  that  part  of  the 
colony;  A  body  of  militia  assembled  to  oppose 
him,  were  easily  dispersed,  and  he  flattered 
himself  that  he  should  soon  bring  the  lower 
country  to  submit  to  the  royal  authority. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  373 

Intelligence  of  these  transactions  being  re-  CHAP.VI. 
ceived  at  Williamsburg,  a  regiment  of  regulars,  1775. 
and  about  two  hundred  minute  men,  were 
ordered  down  under  the  command  of  colonel 
Woodford,  for  the  defence  of  the  inhabitants. 
Hearing  of  their  approach,  lord  Dunmore  took 
a  very  judicious  position  on  the  north  side  of 
Elizabeth  river  at  the  Great  Bridge,  where  it 
was  necessary  for  the  provincials  to  cross  in 
order  to  reach  Norfolk,  at  which  place  he  had 
established  himself  in  some  force.  Here  he 
erected  a  small  fort  on  a  piece  of  firm  ground 
surrounded  by  a  marsh,  which  was  only  acces- 
sible on  either  side  by  a  long  causeway.  The 
American  troops  took  post  within  cannon  shot 
of  the  enemy,  in  a  small  village  at  the  south 
end  of  the  causeway,  across  which,  just  at  its 
termination,  they  constructed  a  breastwork  ; 
but,  being  without  artillery,  were  unable  to 
make  any  attempt  on  the  fort. 

In  this  position  both  parties  continued  for  a 
few  days,  when  lord  Dunmore,  participating 
probably  in  that  contempt  for  the  Americans 
which  had  been  so  freely  expressed  in  the  December. 
house  of  commons,  ordered  captain  Fordyce, 
the  commanding  officer  at  the  Great  Bridge, 
though  inferior  in  numbers,  to  storm  the  works 
of  the  provincials.  Between  daybreak  and 
simrise,  this  officer,  at  the  head  of  about  sixty 
grenadiers  of  the  14th  regiment,  who  led  the 
column  of  the  enemy,  advanced  on  the  cause- 


374  THE  L1FE  OF 

CHAP.  vi.  way  with  fixed  bayonets,  against  the  breastwork. 
1775.    The  alarm  was  immediately  given;  and,  as  is 

December  9.  the  practice  with  raw  troops,  the  bravest  of  the 

Action at  the  Americans  rushed  to  the  works,  where,  un- 
:e'  mindful  of  order,  they  kept  up  a  tremendous 
fire  on  the  front  of  the  British  column.  Captain 
Fordyce,  though  received  so  warmly  in  front, 
and  taken  in  flank  by  a  small  body  of  men  who 
were  collected  by  colonel  Stevens  of  the  minute 
battalion,  and  posted  on  an  eminence  something 
more  than  one  hundred  yards  to  the  left, 
marched  up  under  this  terrible  fire  with  great 
intrepidity,  until  he  fell  dead  within  a  few  steps 
of  the  breastwrork.  The  column  immediately 
broke,  but  the  British  troops  being  covered  in 
their  retreat  by  the  artillery  of  the  fort,  were 
not  pursued. 

In  this  ill  judged  attack,  every  grenadier  is 
said  to  have  been  killed  or  wounded ;  while  the 
Americans  did  not  lose  a  single  man. 

Norfolk  The   next   night,    the   fort  was   evacuated. 

evacuated.       rr<  .  .      .  _  _  _ 

Ine  provincial  troops  proceeded  to  Norfolk, 
and  lord  Dunmore  found  it  necessary  to  take 
refuge  on  board  his  vessels.  He  was  followed 
by  the  most  offensive  of  the  disaffected  with 
their  families.  * 

After  taking  possession  of  the  town,  the 
American  soldiers  frequently  amused  them- 
selves by  firing  into  the  vessels  in  the  harbour 
from  the  buildings  near  the  water.  Irritated 
by  this,  or  some  other  cause,  it  was  deter- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  375 

mined  to  destroy  the  houses  immediately  on  CHAP- VI- 
the   shore;    and  on   the  night  of  the  first  of*    MS. 
January,  a  heavy  cannonade  was  commenced,    January' 
under  cover  of  which  a  body  of  the  enemy 
landed,  and  set  fire  to  a  number  of  houses  nearAndburnt- 
the  river. 

A  strong  prejudice  had  been  entertained 
among  the  provincial  troops  against  this  station. 
It  was  believed  to  be  a  very  dangerous  one, 
from  which,  if  the  enemy  should  be  re-enforced, 
it  would  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to 
escape;  and  they  saw  with  great  composure, 
the  flames  spread  from  house  to  house,  without 
making  any  attempt  to  extinguish  them.  It 
is  not  certain  that  they  did  not  themselves 
contribute  to  extend  them.  After  the  fire  had 
continued  for  several  weeks,  in  which  time  it 
progressed  slowly  as  the  wind  set  against  it, 
and  had  consumed  about  four  fifths  of  the 
town,  colonel  Howe,  who  commanded  a 
regiment  of  North  Carolina  regulars,  which 
had  come  to  the  assistance  of  Virginia,  and 
who  had  waited  on  the  convention  to  press  on 
them  the  necessity  of  destroying  the  place, 
returned  with  orders  to  burn  the  remaining  


houses.     These  orders  were  carried  into  im-   Febmary- 
mediate   execution,    after   which,    the    troops 
marched  from  Norfolk  to  the  different  stations 
which  were  assigned  them.x 


Gazette. 


376  THE  LIFE  OF 

Thus  was  destroyed  by  far  the  most  popu- 
1776.  lous  and  flourishing  town  in  Virginia.  That 
part  of  the  destruction,  effected  by  order  of  the 
convention,  was  produced  by  the  fear  that  it 
would  be  held  by  the  enemy  as  a  permanent 
post,  and  the  hope  that,  after  it  was  burnt 
down,  the  seat  of  war  would  be  entirely  re- 
moved from  the  province. 

It  was  one  of  those  ill  judged  measures, 
founded  on  a  course  of  false  reasoning,  to 
which  the  inexperienced  are  often  exposed. 

After  Norfolk  was  laid  in  ashes,  lord  Dun- 
more  frequently  changed  his  position,  and 
continued  a  predatory  war  on  the  rivers,  burn- 
ing houses  and  robbing  plantations,  which 
served  only  to  distress  a  few  individuals,  and  to 
increase  the  detestation  in  which  he  and  his 
cause  were  held  through  the  country.  At 
*  length  his  wretched  followers,  wearied  with 
their  miserable  condition,  and  no  longer  willing 
to  continue  it,  were  sent  in  about  fifty  vessels 
to  Florida.7 

As  the  war  became  more  serious,  the  con- 
February,  vention  deemed  it  necessary  to  increase  the 
number  of  regular  regiments  from  two  to  nine; 
six  of  which,  in  the  first  instance,  and  after- 
wards the  remaining  three,  were  taken  into  the 
continental  service. 


y  Annual  Register. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  377 

In  North  Carolina,  governor  Martin,  though  CHAP.VI. 
obliged  to  take  refuge  on  board  a  ship  of  war     irre. 
in  cape  Fear  river,  still  indulged  the  hope  of  J''^;1^0"* 
being  able  to  reduce  that  colony. 

A  body  of  ignorant  and  disorderly  men  on 
the  frontiers,  styling  themselves  regulators, 
who  .were  enemies  to  all  government,  had 
attempted  by  arms,  some  time  before  the 
existing  war,  to  control  and  stop  the  adminis- 
tration of  justice.  Having  failed  in  this  attempt, 
they  had  now  become  as  hostile  to  the  colonial, 
as  they  had  before  been  to  the  royal  government. 

There  were  also  in  the  province,  a  large 
number  of  families  who  had  lately  emigrated 
from  the  highlands  of  Scotland,  and  who,  re- 
taining their  attachment  to  the  place  of  their 
nativity,  transferred  it  to  the  government  under 
which  they  had  been  bred.  From  the  union  of 
these  parties,  who  were  bold,  active,  and 
numerous  ;  governor  Martin  entertained  san- 
guine hopes  of  making  a  successful  struggle 
for  the  province.  His  confidence  was  much 
increased  by  the  certainty,  that  sir  Henry  Clin- 
ton was  coming  on  with  a  small  party ;  and  that 
sir  Peter  Parker  and  lord  Cornwallis  were  to 
sail  with  a  squadron  and  seven  regiments,  early 
in  the  year  from  Ireland,  on  an  expedition  to 
the  .southern  provinces,  and  that  North  Caro- 
lina would  be  their  first  object. 

To  prepare  to  co-operate  with  this  force 
should  it  arrive,  or,  in  any  event,  to  make  a 

VOL.  ii.  3  c 


378  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vi.  great,  and  he  hoped  a  successful  effort  to  give 
1776.  the  ascendency  in  North  Carolina  to  the  royal 
cause,  he  sent  several  commissions  to  the 
leaders  of  the  highlanders,  for  raising  and  com- 
manding regiments  ;  and  granted  one  to  a  mr. 
M'Donald  their  chief,  to  act  as  their  general. 
He  also  sent  them  a  proclamation  to  be.  used 
on  a  proper  occasion,  commanding  all  persons 
on  their  allegiance,  to  repair  to  the  royal  stan- 
dard. Impatient  to  begin  his  operations,  this 
was  erected  by  general  M'Donald,  at  Cross 
creek,  about  the  middle  of  February,  and 

February,  about  fifteen  hundred  men  arranged  themselves 
under  it. 

Upon  the  first  advice  that  the  loyalists  were 
assembling,  brigadier  general  Moore  immedi- 
ately marched  at  the  head  of  a  provincial  regi- 
ment, with  such  militia  as  he  could  suddenly 
collect  and  some  pieces  of  cannon,  to  an  im- 

Fifteenth.  portant  post  witliiii-a  few  miles  of  them,  called 
Rock  Fish  bridge,  of  which  he  took  possession; 
and,  being  inferior  in  numbers,  he  immediately 
intrenched  himself,  and  took  the  necessary  pre- 
cautions to  render  his  camp  defensible.  Gene- 

Twentieth.  ral  McDonald  soon  approached  at  the  hevad  of 
his  army,  and  sent  a  letter  to  Moore,  inclosing 
the  governor's  proclamation,  and  recommend- 
ing to  him  and  his  party  to  join  the  king's 
standard  by  a  given  hour  the  next  day.  This 
invitation  was  accompanied  with  the  threat, 
that  he  should  be  under  the  necessity  of  consi- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  379 

dering  them  as  enemies,  in  the  event  of  their  CHAP,  vi. 
refusing  to  accede  to  the  proposition  he  had     \776. 
made. 

Moore,  knowing  that  the  provincial  forces 
\v;ere  collecting  and  marching  from  all  quarters, 
protracted  the  negotiation  in  the  hope  that 
M'Donald  might  be  completely  surrounded. 
When  at  length  it  became  necessary  to  speak 
decisively,  he  in  his  final  answer  declared,  that 
he  and  his  followers  were  engaged  in  a  cause, 
the  most  glorious  and  honourable  in  the  world, 
the  defence  of  the  liberties  of  mankind;  and  in 
return  for  the  proclamation  of  the  governor,  he 
sent  the  test  proposed  by  congress,  with  a 
proffer  that,  if  they  subscribed  it  and  laid  down 
their  arms,  they  should  be  received  as  friends ; 
but  if  they  refused  to  comply,  they  must 
expect  consequences  similar  to  those  with 
which  they  had  threatened  his  people. 

M'Donald  now  perceiving  the  danger  he  was 
in  of  being  inclosed,  suddenly  decamped,  and 
endeavoured  with  much  dexterity,  by  forced 
marches,  by  the  unexpected  passing  of  rivers, 
and  great  celerity  of  movement,  to  disengage 
himself. 

His  primary  object  was  to  join  governor 
Martin,  lord  William  Campbell,  and  general 
Clinton  who  had  now  arrived  in  this  colony, 
and  to  penetrate  with  them  the  interior  of  the 
province  ;  by  which  means  it  was  expected, 
that  all  the  back  settlers  of  the  southern  colo- 
3  c  2 


380  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vi.  nies  would  be  united  in  support  of  the  royal 
1776.    cause,  and  the  Indians  be  also  induced  to  take 
up  arms' in  their  favour. 

The  provincial  parties^  however,  were  so  close 
in  the  pursuit,  and  so  alert  in  every  part  of  the 
country,  that  he  at  length  found  himself  under 
the  necessity  of  engaging  colonels  Caswell  and 
Lillington,  who,  with  about  one  thousand  mi- 
nute men  and  militia,  had  intrenched  themselves 
directly  in  his  front  at  a  place  called  Moore's 

Action  at     creek  bridge.   The  royalists  were  srreatly  supe- 

Moore's  J  J  * 

v reek  bridge.  rjor  m  number,  but  were  under  the  disadvan- 
tage of  being  compelled  to  cross  the  bridge, 
the  planks  of  which  were  partly  taken  up,  in 
the  face  of  the  intrenchments  occupied  by  the 
provincials.  They  commenced  the  attack,  how- 
ever, with  great  spirit;  but  colonel  M'Cleod, 
who,  in  consequence  of  the  indisposition  of 
M 'Donald,  commanded  them,  and  several 
others  of  their  bravest  officers  and  men,  having 
fallen  in  the  first  onset;  their  courage  deserted 
them,  and  they  fled  with  the  utmost  precipitation 
in  all  directions,  leaving  behind  them  their 
general,  and  several  others  of  their  leaders, 
who  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  provincials.2 

This  victory  was  of  eminent  service  to  the 
American  cause  in  ""North  Carolina.  It  broke 
the  spirits  of  a  great  body  of  men,  who  would 
have  constituted  a  very  formidable  re-enforce- 
ment to  an  invading  army ;  it  increased  the 


;  Annual  Register, ...Gordon....Ramsay.. ..Gazette. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  381 

confidence  of  the  provincials  in  themselves,  and  CHAP.VI. 
attached  to  them  the  timid  and  the  wavering,  1776. 
who  form  a  large  portion  of  every  community. 
General  Clinton,  who  was  to  command  in 
the  south,  had  left  Boston  with  a  force  too  in- 
considerable to  attempt  any  thing  until  the 
arrival  of  the  troops  expected  from  Europe. 
After  parting  with  governor  Tryon  in  New 
York,  he  had  proceeded  to  Virginia,  where  he 
passed  a  few  days  with  lord  Dunmore ;  but 
finding  himself  too  weak  to  effect  any  thing  in 
that  province,  he  set  out  for  North  Carolina, 
and  remained  with  governor  Martin  in  cape 
Fear,  until  the  arrival  of  sir  .Peter  Parker. 
That  officer  had  sailed  about  the  close  of  the 
last  year  from  Portsmouth,  to  take  on  board 
some  regiments  stationed  in  Ireland  ;  but  had 
been  detained  so  long,  first  by  delays  in  that 
kingdom  and  afterwards  by  contrary  winds,  that 
he  did  not  arrive  on  the  coast  of  North  Carolina 
until  the  beginning  of  May.  Fortunately  for 
that  province,  the  unsuccessful  insurrection  of 
M'Donald  had  previously  broken  the  strength 
and  spirits  of  the  loyalists,  and  deprived  them 
of  their  most  active  chiefs ;  in  consequence  of 
which  the  operations  which  had  been  meditated 
against  the  provincials  -were  for  the  present 
deferred.  Clinton  continued  at  cape  Fear, 
probably  undetermined  respecting  his  future 
measures,  until  near  the  end  of  that  month ; 
when,  hearing  nothing  certain  from  general 


382  THE  LIFE  °F 

CHAP,  vi.  Howe,  it  was  determined  to  make  an  attempt 
1776.    on  Charleston,  the  capital  of  South  Carolina. 

A  letter  from  the  secretary  of  state  t©  mr. 
Eden,  the  royal  governor  of  Maryland,  disclos- 
ing the  designs  of  administration  against  the 
southern  colonies,  was  fortunately  intercepted 
in  the  Chesapeak,  early  in  the  month  of  April, 
and  thus  South  Carolina  became  apprized  of 
the  danger  which  threatened  its  metropolis. 
Mr.  Rutledge,  a  gentleman  of  vigour  and 
talents,  who,  on  the  dissolution  of  the  regal 
Ma?'-  government,  had  been  chosen  president  of  that 
province,  adopted  the  most  energetic  means 
for  placing  it  in  a  posture  of  defence.  In 
addition  to  a  great  number  of  slaves  belonging 
to  non-associators,  who  were  impressed  and 
brought  in  from  the  country  for  the  purposes 
of  labour,  all  ranks  of  citizens  were  employed 
on  the  works ;  and  gentlemen  of  independent 
fortunes  prided  themselves  on  being  among 
the  first  to  use  the  hoe  and  the  spade.  The 
defence  of  Charleston  was  strengthened,  and  a 
new  fort,  afterwards  called  fort  Moultrie,  was 
constructed  on  Sullivan's  island,  an  advanta- 
geous position,  from  whence  ships  of  war 
approaching  the  town  might  be  greatly  annoyed, 
in  which  were  mounted  about  thirty  pieces  of 
heavy  artillery.* 

'     June-         ^n  tne  beginning  of  June,  the  British  fleet  came 
to  anchor  off  the  harbour  of  Charleston,  and 


Annual  Register..'  4 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  333 

couriers  were  immediately  dispatched,  by  pre-  CHAP,  vi. 
sident  Rutledge,  through  the  country,  to  order     irre. 
in  all  the  militia  of  the  colony  for  the  defence  l^°tl 
of  the  capital.     The  streets  were  in  different CaroUaa- 
places  strongly  barricaded,  and  the  stores  on 
the   wharves,    though  of    great   value,    were 
pulled  down,    and  lines  of  defence  continued 
along  the  water's  edge.b 

The  British  admiral  experienced  some  diffi- 
culty in  crossing  the  bar;  and  although  all  their 
guns  were  taken  out  and  the  vessels  lightened 
as  much  as  possible,  the  two  large  ships 
touched  the  ground,  and  struck  several  times 
on  the  way.  This  object  being  at  length  ac- 
complished, it  was  determined  to  commence 

their  operations  by  silencing  the  fort  on  Sulli-    *une  10- 
van's  island.0 

During  the  interval  between  passing  the  bar, 
and  attacking  this  fort,  the  continental  troops 
of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  who  had  been 
ordered  to  the  assistance  of  their  sister  colony, 
arrived  in  Charleston;  and  the  American  force 
collected  at  that  point,  amounted  to  between 
five  and  six  thousand  men,  of  whom  two  thou- 
sand five  hundred  were  regulars.  This  army 
was  commanded  by  general  Lee,  whose  fortune 
it  had  been  to  meet  general  Clinton  at  New 
York,  in  Virginia,  in  North  Carolina,  and 
now  at  Charleston.  Viewing  the  situation  of 

^Ramsay*.., Gordon.  c  Annual  Register, 


384  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vi.  the  post  intrusted  to  his  care  With  a  military 
1776.  eye,  Lee  was  disinclined  to  hazard  his  army 
by  engaging  it  deeply  in  the  defence  of  either 
the  fort  or  the  town.  The  works  on  Sullivan's 
.  island  though  strong  towards  the  water,  were 
almost  open  in  the  rear,  and  consequently 
incapable  of  being  defended  against  an  attack 
by  land,  to  which  they  were  exposed  from  the 
troops  on  Long  island,  who  might  cross  the 
creek  between  them ;  or  from  others  who 
might  be  landed  on  Sullivan's  island.  They 
also  admitted  of  being  raked  by  the  guns  of 
any  vessels  which  might  gain  their  western 
flank.  He  apprehended  too  that  the  ships 
would  pass  the  fort,  and  station  themselves  out 
of  the  reach  of  its  guns,  between  Sullivan's 
island  and  Charleston;  and  that  the  land  forces 
already  on  Long  island,  would  cross  over  to 
th£  main  land,  and  place  the  garrison  in  a  situ- 
ation of  extreme  hazard.  The  great  solicitude, 
however,  of  the  South  Carolinians  to  maintain 
their  capital,  aided  by  the  hope  that  a  vigilant 
attention  to  the  movements  of  the  enemy  would 
enable  him  to  extricate  his  troops  before  they 
should  be  enclosed,  at  length  prevailed;  and 
he  determined  to  attempt  its  defence. 

Two  regular  regiments  of  South  Carolina, 
commanded  by  colonels  Gadsden  and  Moultrie, 
garrisoned  fort  Johnson,  on  the  northern  point 
of  James'  island,  and  fort 'Moultrie.  About 
five  hundred  regulars,  and  three  Ijundred  mi- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  385 

litia  under  colonel  Thompson,  assisted  by  an  CHAP. vi. 
eighteen  pounder,  and  a  field  piece,  were  sta-  1776. 
tioned  in  some  works  which  had  been  thrown 
up  on  the.  northeastern  extremity  of  Sullivan's 
island,  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  the  passage 
of  the  •  British  from  Long  island ;  and  the 
remaining  troops  were  arranged  on  Hadrell's 
point,  and  along  the  bay  in  front  of  the  town. 
General  Lee  remained  in  person  with  the  troops, 
encamped  on  the  continent  at  Hadrell's  point, 
in  the  rear,  and  to  the  north  of  Sullivan's  island. 
A  bridge  of  boats  had  been  commenced  in 
order  to  keep  open  the  communication  between 
fort  Moultrie  and  the  main  land,  but  had  not 
been  completed.  His  position  was  chosen  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  enable  him  to  observe  and 
support  the  operations  in  every  quarter,  and 
particularly  to  watch  and  oppose  any  attempt 
of  the  enemy  to  pass  from  Long  island  to  the 
continent,  a  movement  which  he  seems  to  v 
have  dreaded  more  than  any  other. 

Every    preparation   having   at   length   been    June  zs. 
made,    the  fleet  consisting  of  the  Bristol  and 
Experiment,  two  fifty  gun  ships  ;  the  Active, 
Solebay,  Acteon,  and  Syren,  of  twenty-eight 

c* 

.  guns  each;  the  Sphynx  of  twenty  guns,  an 
armed  ship  of  twenty-two  guns,  and  the 
Thunder  bomb-ketch,  weighed  anchor  and 
sailed  for  the  stations  assigned  them.  The 
Thunder  bomb  covered  by  the  armed  ship  took 
her  station,  and  about  half  past  ten,  began  the 

VOL.    II.  3  D 


386  THE  LIFE  °F 

CHAP,  vi.  attack  by  throwing  shells  at  the  fort,  as  the 
1776.    fleet  advanced.     About 'a  quarter  past  eleven 

fep^ut"'  o'clock,  the  Bristol,  Active,  Experiment,  and 
Tie'vSolebay,  brought  up  directly  against  the  fort, 
and  commenced  upon  it  a  most  furious  can- 
nonade. The  Sphynx?  Acteon,  and  Syren, 
had  been  ordered  to  the  westward  to  take  their 
station  between  the  end  of  the  island  and 
Charleston,  partly  to  enfilade  the  works  of  the 
fort,  partly  to  cut  off,  if  possible,  the  commu- 
nication between  the  island  and  the  continent, 
and  partly  to  prevent  any  attempt  which  might 
be  made  by  fire  ships,  or  otherwise  to  interrupt 
the  grand  attack.  These  vessels  were,  by  the 
unskilfulness  of  the  pilot,  entangled  in  the 
shoals  called  the  middle  grounds,  where  they 
stuck  fast  until  it  was  tpo  late  to  execute  the 
intended  service.  The  Acteon  being  unable 
to  get  off  was  scuttled  and  burnt  next  morning 
by  the  officers  and  crew,  to  prevent  her  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  Americans/ 

The  cannonade  from  the  ships  was  incessant 
and  heavy,  but  was  not  attended  with  the  ex- 
pected effect  on  the  fort.  This  was  attributable 
to  its  form  and  the  materials  with  which  it  was 
built.  It  was  very  low,  with  merlons  of  great 
thickness,  and  was  constructed  of  earth,  and  a 
species  of  soft  wood  common  in  that  country 
called  the  Palmetto,  which,  on  being  struck 

d  Annual  Register. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  387 

with  a  ball  does  not  splinter  but  closes  upon  it.  CHAP.  vi. 
The  beds  of  the  mortars  in  the  bomb  ketch,     irze. 
were  loosened  by  being  overcharged,  and  they 
soon  became  entirely  useless.6 

The  fire  from  the  fort  was  slow,  was  directed 
with  great  skill,  and  did  vast  execution.  The 
springs  of  the  Bristol's  cable  being  cut  by  the 
shot,  she  was  for  a  short  space  of  tfone  unma- 
nageable, and  was  so  raked  by  the  fort,  that  at 
one  time  the  commodore  is  said  to  have 
remained  alone  on  the  deck.  The  Experiment 
was  also  roughly  handled,  and  her  captain  very 
dangerously  wounded. 

In  the  course  of  the  action  all  the  powder  in 
the  fort  was  at  one  time  expended,  and  for  a 
short  interval  the  guns  were  silent.  Great 
hopes  were  then  entertained  of  success,  but 
these  hopes  were  soon  blasted  by  a  fresh  supply 
of  powder,  and  a  consequent  recommencement 
of  the  same  terrible  fire,  under  which  the 
British  ships  had  already  so  greatly  suffered. 
The  garrison  united  the  cool  determined  cou- 
rage of  veterans,  to  the  enthusiastic  valour  of 
youth.  General  Lee  crossed  over  to  them  in 
a  boat,  during  the  action,  to  determine  whether 
he  should  not  endeavour  to  withdraw  them, 
and  was  enraptured  with  the  ardour  they  dis- 
played. They  assured  him  they  would  only 
lose  the  fort  with  their  lives,  and  the  mortally 


e  Annual  Register. 

3  D  2 


388  THE  LIFE  OF 

cn.y.  vi.  wounded  breathed  their  last,    exhorting  their 
1776.    fellow  soldiers  to  the  most  heroic  defence  of 

the  place. 
1 

Although  the  British  troops  had  been  landed 
on  Long  island,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking 
the  fort  on  the  land  side,  no  attempt  was  made 
to  execute  this  part  of  the  plan.  Why  it  was 
not  made,  «or  whether,  if  made,  it  would  have 
been  successful,  cannot  be  ascertained.  Ge- 
neral Clinton  asserted  that  the  water  between 
the  islands,  which  he  had  understood  to  be  only 
eighteen  inches  deep,  was  in  reality  seven  feet, 
and  consequently  impassable.  This  effect  is 
said  to  have  been  produced  by  a  long  series  of 
eastern  winds. 

The  engagement  continued  until  the  darkness 
of  the  night  compelled  a  suspension  of  it.  The 
ships  were  by  that  time  evidently  in  such  a 
condition,  as  to  be  unfit  to  renew  the  action 
the  next  day.  The  Bristol  had  lost  one  hun- 
dred and  eleven  men,  and  the  Experiment 
seventy-nine.  Captain  Scott  of  the  one  lost 
his  arm,  and  captain  Morris  of  the  other  was 
mortally  wounded.  Lord  Campbell,  late  go- 
vernor of  the  province,  who  served  as  a  volun- 
teer on  board  one  of  these  vessels,  was  also 
mortally  wounded ;  and  both  ships  were  so 
shattered  as  to  inspire  the  hope  that  they  would 
be  unable  to  repass  the  bar.  About  nine 
o'clock,  they  slipped  their  cables  and  moved 
off.  A  few  days  afterwards,  the  troops  were 
re-embarked,  and  all  further  designs  against 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  389 

the  southern  colonies  were,    for  the  present,  CHAP- VI: 
relinquished.     The  squadron  sailed  for  New     1776. 
York,  in  pursuance  of  orders  which  had  been    July  15- 
given  by  sir  William  Howe  while  in  Halifax  ; 
but  which  had  not  been  received  by  sir  Henry 
Clinton,  until  he  had  anchored  off  the  bar  of 
Charleston. 

The  attack  on  fort  Moultrie  was  supported 
by  the  British  seamen  with  their  accustomed 
bravery,  and  the  slaughter  on  board  the  ships 
was  uncommonly  great.  The  loss  of  the  Ame- 
ricans, in  killed  and  wounded,  was  only  thirty- 
five  men/ 

Great  and  well  merited  praise  was  bestowed 
by  his  country,  on  colo*nel  Moultrie,  who 
commanded  the  fort ;  and  on  the  garrison,  for 
the  resolution  displayed  in  defending  it.  Nor 
was  the  glory  acquired  on  this  occasion  con- 
fined to  them.  All  the  troops  that  had  been 
stationed  on  the  island  partook  of  it,  and  the 
thanks  of  the  United  Colonies  were  voted  by 
congress  to  general  Lee,  colonel  Moultrie, 
colonel  Thompson,  and  the  officers  and  men 
under  their  command,  who  were  engaged  in 
repulsing  the  enemy  on  the  twenty-eighth  of 
June. 

This  fortunate  event,  for  such  it  may  well 
be  termed,  though  not  of  much  magnitude  in 

{  Annual  Register. .'..GoTdon..,.Ramsay...*Letter$  of  ge^ 
neral  Lee. 


390  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- VI-  itself,  was,  like  many  other  successes  attending 
1776.  the  American  arms  in  the  commencement  of  the 
war,  of  great  importance  in  its  consequences. 
By  impressing  on  the  colonists  a  conviction 
of  their  ability  to  maintain  the  contest,  it 
increased  the  number  of  those  who  resolved  to 
resist  British  authority,  and  assisted  in  paving 
the  way  to  a  declaration  of  independence. 

The  congress  which  assembled  in  1775,  had 
adjourned  with  strong  and  sincere  hopes  that 
the  differences  between  the  mother  country  and 
the  colonies  would  soon  be  terminated  to  their 
mutual  satisfaction.      But  the  speech  of  the 
king  on  opening  the  British  parliament,    and 
the  first  proceedings  of  the  grand  legislature  of 
that  nation,   demonstrated  the  fallacy  of  these 
hopes.     Every  arrival  from  Europe  continued 
to  bring  additional  intelligence  of  the  inflexible 
resolution  of  the  administration  still  to  prose- 
cute the  war,  and  of  the  immense  preparations 
making  for  the  ensuing  campaign.     This  in- 
formation evinced  the  necessity  of  exertions 
equally  vigorous  on  the  part  of  America.    The 
letters  of  the  commander  in  chief  respectfully, 
but  earnestly,  urged  congress  to  the  adoption 
of  measures,  which  might  enable  him  to  give, 
to  the  country  that  protection  which  was  ex- 
pected from  its  army.    The  government  of  the 
union  was  not  insensible  of  the  importance  of 
the  crisis,   nor  indisposed  to  meet  it  with  a 
competent  force;    but,    unaccustomed  to  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  391 

great  duties  of  conducting  a  war  of  vast  extent,  CHAP- VL 
they  could  not  estimate  rightly  the  value  of  the  1776. 
means  employed,  nor  calculate  the  effects  which 
certain  causes  would  produce.  Large  additional 
emissions  of  paper  bills  were  resolved  on,  and 
requisitions  had  been  made  on  the  several  colo- 
nies for  quotas  of  men  sufficient  to  constitute  a 
respectable  army.  But  they  relied  too  cdnfi* 
dently  on  being  able  to  call  out,  on  any  emer- 
gency, a  force  adequate  to  the  occasion.  They 
relied  too  much  on  the  efficiency  of  such  a 
force ;  and  they  depended  too  long  on  the  spirit 
of  patriotism  which  was  believed  to  animate 
the  mass,  of  the  people. 

Under  these  impressions,  the  regular  army 
for  the  middle  colonies,  which  was  weakened 
by  ordering  regiments  originally  destined  to 
serve  in  it,  to  the  aid  of  the  troops  in  Canada, 
was  not  recruited  in  time,  by  additional  requi- 
sitions, nor  were  those  measures  taken  which 
would  fill  the  battalions  actually  ordered  to  be 
raised.  It  was  not  until  the  26th  of  June,  that 
the  representations  of  the  commander  in  chief 
could  obtain  a  resolution,  directing  soldiers  to 
be  inlisted  for  three  years,  and  offering  a  bounty 
of  ten  dollars  to  each  recruit.  In  consequence 
.  of  their  adhering  to  a  system  of  mistaken 
economy,  soldiers  were  voted  m  greater  num- 
bers than  could  be ''raised,  and  many  of  the 
regiments  remained  incomplete. 

That  zeal  for  the  service  which  was  mani- 
fested in  the  first  moments  of  the  war,  had  long 


392  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vi.  since  begun  to  abate;  and  though  the  determi- 
1776;  nation  to  resist  became  more  general,  that 
enthusiasm,  which  prompts  individuals  volun- 
tarily to  expose  themselves  to  more  than  an  equal 
share  of  the  dangers  and  hardships  to  be  en- 
countered for  the  attainment  of  a  common  good, 
was  visibly  declining.  The  progress  of  these 
sentiments  seems  to  have  been  unexpected  ; 
and  the  causes  producing  such  effects,  had-not 
been  sufficiently  attended  to. 

General  Washington,  Mrho  had  always  con- 
ceived that  the  grand  efforts  of  the  royal  army 
would  be  directed  towards  the  Hudson,  having 
left  a  small  detachment  under  the  command  of 
major-general  Ward,  to  complete  certain  works 
designed  for  the  security  of  Boston,  hastened 

himself,   immediately  after  the  evacuation  of 

April-     that  place,  with  the  main  body  of  his  army,  to 
New  York.     He  arrived  there  on  the  14th  of 

i^wYoT  April,  and  continued,  with  unremitting  exer- 
tions, the  preparations  which  had  been  before 
directed  for  the  reception  of  the  enemy. 

It  was  cause  of  some  surprise  to  him,  to  find 
that  an  uninterrupted  intercourse  had  been  kept 
up  between  the  inhabitants,  and  the  British 
§hips  lying  in  the  harbour.  Thus,  not  only 
the  wants  of  the  latter  were,  abundantly  sup- 
plied, but  an  evil  of  infinitely  greater  impor- 
tance was  incurred.  Governor  Tryon  retained 
all  the  facilities  he  could  wish,  of  communi- 
cating with  the  disaffected,  who  abounded  in 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  393 

both  the  town  and  country;  and  of  concerting  CHAP. vi. 
with  them,  plans  of  future  operations.     One     irre. 
of  the  first  measures  taken  by  the  general,  was 
entirely  to  break  off  this  dangerous  and  cor- 
rupting  intercourse;    in  effecting   which,    he 
obtained   the    co-operation  of  the  committee 
of  safety  for  the  colony. 

The  difficulty  which  had  been  experienced 
in  expelling  the  British  from  Boston,  had 
strengthened  the  general's  impressions  con- 
cerning the  necessity  of  preventing,  if  possible, 
their  establishing  themselves  in  New  York ; 
and  had  contributed  to  the  determination  of 
contesting  with  them,  very  seriously,  the  pos- 
session of  that  important  place.  This  deter- 
mination, however,  it  was  difficult  and  dan- 
gerous to  execute.  The  defence  of  New  York 
against  an  enemy  commanding  the  sea,  if  prac- 
ticable at  all,  would  require  an  army  capable 
of  meeting  them  in  the  open  field,  and  of  acting 
offensively,  both  on  Long  island  and  on  York 
island.  All  the  means,  however,  he  could 
command  were  employed  in  strengthening  his 
position,  and  in  endeavouring  to  prevent  the 
ships  of  war  from  ascending  the  Hudson,  or 
penetrating  the  East  river  between  Long  island 
and  York  island.  For  this  purpose,  hulks 
were  sunk  to  obstruct  the  passage  of  ships,  and 
the  most  advantageous  positions  on  both  sides 
of  the  North  river,  and  of  the  narrow  passage 

VOL.  n,  3  E 


394  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vi.  between  the  islands,  were  taken,  and  fortified. 
1776.  The  time  which  elapsed,  between  the  evacu- 
ation of  Boston  by  general  Howe,  and  the  in- 
vesting of  New  York,  was  most  assiduously 
employed  on  these  interesting  objects,  and  in 
completing  such  works  as  would  enable  him  to 
repel  a  direct  attack  upon  the  town. 

Attention  was  also  paid  to  the  forts  in  the 
highlands.  The  importance  of  these  passes 
had  been  discerned  at  a  very  early  period  of  the 
war;  and,  as  their  possession  was  deemed  almost 
indispensable  to  the  success  of  the  contest, 
exertions  were  made  to  render  them  defensible. 

But  the  commander  in  chief  observed,  with 
infinite  pain,  the  incompetency  of  his  army  to 
the  great  purposes  for  which  it  had  been  raised. 
His  effective  force  was  much  below  the  estimate 
which 'had  been  made;  nor  was  it  in  the  want 
of  numbers  only,  that  his  weakness  consisted. 

The  circumstances  attending  the  commence- 
ment of  the  contest  having  been  absolutely 
incompatible  with  an  adequate  provision  of 
those  military  stores  which  are  most  essential 
in  war,  the  troops  actually  in  the  field  were  by 
no  means  sufficiently  furnished  with  arms,,  am- 
munition, tents,  or  clothes.  The  total  want 
of  magafzincs,  connected  with  those  false  eco- 
nomical calculations  which  inexperience  so 
frequently  makes,  having  produced  the  regu- 
Li!:>n,  requiring  soldiers  to  supply  themselves 
^  ith  arms,  there  was  not  only  an  alarming 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  395 

deficiency    *    in   this   respect,    but   the    guns 


actually  in  camp,  for  few  of  them  deserved  the     1776. 
appellation  of  muskets,   were  too  inferior  in 
quality  to  inspire  those  who  used  them  with 
that  confidence,  which  arises  from  a  conscious- 
ness of  being  equal  to  the  enemy. 

The  army  in  New  York  being  thus  manifestly 
incompetent  to  the  defence  of  the  middle  colo- 
nies, was  to  be  strengthened  by  requisitions  of 
militia.  In  pursuance  of  this  determination,  a 
resolution  was  passed  to  re-enforce  it  with 
thirteen  thousand  eight  hundred  militia;  of 
whom,  two  thousand  were  to  be  drawn  from 
Massachusetts,  five  thousand  five  hundred 
from  Connecticut,  three  thousand  from  New 
York,  and  three  thousand  three  hundred  from 
New  Jersey.  Whilst  the  grand  army  wras  em- 
ployed in  the  defence  of  New  York,  the  facility 
with  which  the  enemy  might  land  in  great  force  « 

*  Even  the  regiments  of  New  England,  where,  more 
than  in  any  other  colony,  arms  were  in  the  hands  of  the 
body  of  the  people,  were  very  badly  supplied  with  them  ; 
but  those  of  the  middle  provinces,  especially  those  of 
New  York,  were  destitute  of  them  to  an  alarming  degree. 
In  colonel  Ritzemer's  regiment,  a  return  of  which  was 
transmitted  by  the  commander  in  chief  to  congress,  there 
were  only  ninety-seven  muskets,  and  seven  bayonets, 
This  was  undoubtedly  put  as  the  extreme  case,  but  a  very 
great  deficiency  was  common  to  all  the  battalions.  The 
vifle  regiments  alone  were  in  possession  of  fire  arms  which 
would  enable  them  to  render  all  the  service  expected  from. 
them. 

3  E  2 


396  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vi.  on  the  Jersey  shore,  and  penetrate  into  the 
1776.  heart  of  the  middle  colonies,  was  too  apparent 
to  permit  that  portion  of  the  union  to  remain 
entirely  unprotected.  It  was  therefore  resolved 
to  form,  in  the  middle  colonies,  a  flying  camp, 
to  be  composed  of  ten  thousand  men,  to  be 
furnished  by  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  and 
Maryland.  The  militia,  both  of  the  flying 
camp,  and  of  the  army  at  New  York,  were  to 
be  engaged  to  serve  until  the  first  of  December; 
and  the  commander  in  chief  was  empowered  to 
form  such  magazines  of  military  stores,  and 
provisions,  as  he  should  deem  necessary.  He 
was  also  authorized  to  call  on  the  neighbouring 
colonies  for  such  additional  temporary  aids  of 
militia,  as  the  exigencies  of  his  army  might 
render  necessary;  and,  as  he  knew  well,  that  if 
this  power  should  be  immediately  exercised, 
it  would  be  impossible  to  retain  them  in  the 
field  even  until  the  occasion  should  render  their 
service  indispensable,  he  forbore  to  call  them 
from  their  homes,  until  the  enemy  should  ac- 
tually appear  in  force. 

Great  and  embarrassing  as  were  the  difficul- 
ties already  noticed,  attending  the  situation  of 
the  commander  in  chief,  they  were  very  much 
augmented  by  the  disaffection  of  the  inhabitants 
about  the  city  of  New  York,  and  the  adjacent 
islands.  A  plot,  to  favour  the  enemy  on  their, 
landing,  and,  as  was  understood,  to  seize  and 
deliver  up  general  Washington  himself,  had 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  397 

been  formed;  in  which  governor  Tryon,  CHAP. vi. 
through  the  agency  of  the  mayor  of  New  1776. 
York,  was  believed  to  be  principally  concerned. 
This  plot  had  extended  to  the  American  army, 
and  even  some  of  the  general's  guards  were 
engaged  in  it.  It  was  fortunately  discovered 
in  time  to  be  defeated,  and  some  of  the  persons 
concerned  were  executed.  About  the  same 
time,  a  similar  plot  was  discovered  about 
Albany,  and  some  executions  there  too  were 
found  necessary. 

Hitherto,  the  war  had  been  carried  on  with 
the  avowed  wish  of  obtaining  a  redress  of 
grievances.  The  utmost  horror  at  the  idea  of 
attempting  independence  had  been  expressed, 
and  the  most  anxious  desire  of  establishing,  on 
its  ancient  principles,  the  union  which  had  so 
long  subsisted  between  the  two  countries,  was 
openly  and  generally  declared.  But,  however 
sincere  the  wish  to  retain  a  political  connexion 
with  Great  Britain  might  Lave  been  at  the 
commencement  of  the  conflict,  the  operation 
of  hostilities  on  that  sentiment  was  infallible. 
To  profess  allegiance  and  respect  for  a  monarch, 
who  was  believed  to  be  endeavouring,  by  force 
of  arms,  to  wrest  from  them  all  that  rendered 
life  valuable ;  whilst  every  possible  effort  was 
making,  by  arms,  to  repel  the  attempt;  began 
to  be  felt  as  an  absurdity,  and  to  maintain  such 
a  system  was  impossible.  The  human  mind, 
when  it  receives  a  vast  momentum,  does  not, 


598  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- VI-  like  projectiles,  stop  at  the  point,  to  which  the 
1776.  force  originally  applied  may  have  been  calcu- 
lated to  carry  it.  A  variety  of  causes  act  upon 
it  in  its  course.  It  is  either  checked,  or  an 
additional  impetus  is  given  to  it;  and  it  often 
takes  a  direction  totally  different  from  that  at 
first  designed.  When  the  appeal  was  first  made 
to  arms,  and  the  battle  of  Lexington  was  fought, 
a  great  majority  of  those  who  guided  the  coun- 
cils and  led  the  battalions  of  America,  wished 
only  for  a  repeal  of  the  obnoxious  acts  of  par- 
liament, which  had  occasioned  their  resistance 
to  the  authority  of  the  crown ;  and  would  have 
been  truly  unwilling  to  venture  into  the  unex- 
plored regions  of  self  government.  Having 
imbibed,  from  education,  strong  prejudices  in 
favour  of  the  British  nation  and  of  the  British 
constitution,  they  wished  only  to  enjoy  its 
substantial  benefits.  It  is  evidence  of  this  tem- 
per, that  govenior  Eden  of  Maryland,  and 
governor  Franklin  of  New  Jersey,  were  per- 
mitted to  remain  in  their  respective  colonies, 
until  it  was  perceived  that  this  moderation  was 
abused  by  those  characters,  who  availed  them- 
selves of  it  to  act  as  spies  for  the  public  enemy. 
For  some  time,  the  king  was  still  prayed  for 
in  the  performance  of  divine  service,  and  in  the 
proclamation  of  a  fast  by  congress,  in  June 
1775,  one  of  the  motives  for  recommending  it 
was,  to  beseech  the  Almighty  "  to  bless  our 
rightful  sovereign  king  George  III.  and  inspire 
him  with  wisdom." 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  399 

The  prejudices  in  favour  of  a  connexion  CHAP.VI. 
with  England,  and  of  the  English  constitution,  1776. 
gradually,  but  rapidly  wore  off;  and  were  ^"ets0 
succeeded  by  republican  principles,  and  wishes  indePcndence 
for  independence.  Many  essays  appeared  in 
the  papers  calculated  to  extend  these  opinions, 
and  a  pamphlet  under  the  signature  of  Common 
Sense,  written  by  Thomas  Paine,  an  English- 
man, who  had  lately  come  over  to  America, 
had  particular  influence.  He  possessed  a  style 
and  manner  of  saying  bold  things,  singularly 
well  fitted  to  act  on  the  public  mind,  to  inlist 
every  feeling  with  him;  and,  very  often,  espe- 
cially in  times  when  men  were  greatly  agitated, 
to  seize  on  the  judgment  itself.  He  boldly 
pronounced  the  further  continuance  of  a 
connexion  with  England,  unsafe,  as  well  as 
impracticable;  and  even  ventured  to  attack, 
with  successful  ridicule,  a  constitution  which 
had  been  deemed  the  masterpiece  of  political 
workmanship.  He  was  universally  read,  and 
among  those  who  were  zealous  in  the  war, 
obtained  every  where  friends  to  the  doctrine  of 
independence.  New  strength  was  every  day 
added  to  the  opinions,  that  a  cordial  reconcilia- 
tion with  Great  Britain  had  become  impossible; 
that  mutual  confidence  could  never  be  restored; 
that  reciprocal  jealousy,  suspicion,  and  hate, 
would  take  and  hold  the  place  of  that  affection, 
which  could  alone  render  such  a.  connexion 
happy,  and  beneficial;  that  even  the  commercial 


400  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP- V1-  dependence  of  America  upon  Britain,  was 
1776.  greatly  injurious  to  the  former,  and  that  incal- 
culable benefits  must  be  derived  from  opening 
to  themselves  the  markets  of  the  world;  that  to 
be  governed  by  a  nation,  or  a  sovereign,  distant 
from  them  three  thousand  miles,  unacquainted 
with,  and  unmindful  of,  their  interests,  would, 
even  if  reinstated  in  their  former  situation, 
occasion  infinite  injury;  and,  in  the  present 
state  of  America,  was  an  evil  too  great  to  be 
voluntarily  borne.  But  victory  alone  could 
restore  them  to  that  situation,  and  victory  would 
give  them  independence.  The  hazard  was  the 
same;  and,  since  the  risk  of  every  thing  was 
unavoidable,  the  most  valuable  attainable  object 
ought,  in  common  justice,  and  common  pru- 
dence, to  be  the  reward  of  success.  In  such 
horror  too  was  viewed  the  present  war,  and 
the  principles  on  which  it  was  believed  to  be 
conducted,  that  it  was  supposed  impossible  it 
could  receive  the  support  of  a  free  people. 
The  alacrity  therefore,  with  which  the  English 
nation  entered  into  it,  was  ascribed  to  a  secret 
and  dangerous  influence,  which  was,  with  rapid 
progress,  undermining  the  liberties,  and  the 
morals  of  the  mother  country ;  and  which,  it 
was  feared,  would  cross  the  Atlantic,  and  infect 
and  contaminate  the  principles  of  the  colonists 
likewise,  should  the  ancient  political  connexion 
be  restored.  The  intercourse  of  America  with 
the  world,  and  her  own  experience,  had  not 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  401 

then  been  sufficient  to  teach  her  the  important  CHAP.VI. 
truth,  that  the  many,  as  often  as  the  few,  are     irre. 
blind  to  the  rights  of  others,  when  conflicting 
with  their  own  interests ;  and  can  madly  pursue 
injustice,  without  perceiving  that  they  are  in 
the  wrong.     That  they  too,   not  unfrequently, 
close   their  eyes    against  the  light;    and   shut 
their  ears  against  the  plainest  evidence,  and  the 
most  conclusive  reasoning. 

It  was  also  urged,  and  with  great  reason,  that 
foreign  aid  could  more  certainly  be  obtained, 
if  the  effect  of  that  aid  would  be  the  dismem- 
berment of  the  British  empire ;  than  if  no  such 
important  inducement  should  be  held  out  to  the 
rivals  of  that  nation. 

American  independence  became  the  general 
theme  of  conversation;  and  more  and  more  the 
general  wish.  This  sentiment  was  increased 
by  learning,  that  they  were  declared  to  be  in  a 
state  of  rebellion;  that  foreign  mercenaries 
were  to  be  employed  against  them;  that  the 
tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  were  to  be 
engaged  in  the  British  service;  and  that  their 
slaves  were  to  be  seduced  from  their  masters, 
and  armed  against  them. 

The  measures  of  congress  took  their  com- 
plexion from  the  temper  of  the  people.  Their 
proceedings  against  the  disaffected  became 
more  and  more  vigorous;  their  language  res- 
pecting the  British  government  was  less  the 
language  of  subjects,  and  more  calculated  to 

VOL.  n.  3  F 


402  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vi.  turn  tlie  public  attention  towards  congress,  and 
1776.  the  provincial  assemblies,  as  the  sole  and 
ultimate  rulers  of  the  country.  General  letters 
of  marque  and  reprisal  were  granted;  and  the 
American  ports  were  opened  to  all  nations  and 
people,  not  subject  to  the  British  crown. 

"May 6.  At  length,  a  measure  was  adopted,  which 
was  considered  by  congress,  and  by  America 
in  general,  as  decisive  of  the  question  of  inde- 
pendence. Hitherto,  it  had  been  recommended 
to  particular  colonies,  to  establish  temporary 
institutions  for  the  conduct  of  their  affairs 
during  the  existence  of  the  contest;  but  now, 
a  resolution  was  offered,  recommending  gene- 
rally, without  limitation  of  time,  to  such 
colonies  as  had  not  already  established  them, 
the  adoption  of  governments  adequate  to  the 
exigence.  Mr.  John  Adams,  mr.  Rutledge, 
and  mr.  Richard  Henry  Lee,  all  zealous  advo- 
cates for  independence,  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  prepare  a  proper  preamble  to  the 

Fifteenth,  'resolution.  The  report  of  these  gentlemen 
was  agreed  to  in  these  words,  "whereas,  his 
Britannic  majesty,  in  conjunction  with  the 
lords  and  commons  of  Great  Britain,  has,  by 
a  late  act  of  parliament,  excluded  the  inhabi- 
tants of  these  United  Colonies  from  the  protec- 
tion of  his  crown ;  and  whereas,  no  answer 
whatever  to  the  humble  petitions  of  the  colonies 
for  redress  of  grievances,  and  reconciliation 
with  Great  Britain,  has  been,  or  is  likely  to  be 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  403 

• 

given;  but  the  whole  force  of  that  kingdom,  CHAP.VI. 
aided  by  foreign  mercenaries,  is  to  be  exerted  1776. 
for  the  destruction  of  the  good  people  of  these 
colonies;  and  whereas,  it  appears  absolutely 
irreconcilable  to  reason  and  good  conscience 
for  the  people  of  these  colonies  now  to  take  the 
oaths  and  affirmations  necessary  for  the  support 
of  any  government  under  the  crown  of  Great 
Britain;  and  it  is  necessary  that  the  exercise  of 
every  kind  of  authority  under  the  said  crown 
should  be  totally  suppressed;  and  all  the  pow- 
ers of  government  exerted  under  the  authority 
of  the  people  of  the  colonies  for  the  preservation 
of  internal  peace,  virtue  and  good  order,  as 
well  as  for  the  defence  of  their  lives,  liberties 
and  properties,  against  the  hostile  invasions, 
and  cruel  depredations  of  their  enemies;  there- 
fore, resolved,  that  it  be  recommended  to  the 
respective  assemblies  and  conventions  of  the 
United  Colonies,  where  no  government  suffi- 
cient for  the  exigencies  of  their  affairs  hath 
been  already  established,  to  adopt  such  govern- 
ment as  shall,  in  the  opinion  of  the  representa- 
tives of  the  people,  best  conduce  to  the 
happiness  ancl^  safety  of  their  constituents  in 
particular,  and  America  in  general." 

The  provincial  assemblies  and  conventions 
acted  on  this  recommendation,  and  governments 
were  generally  established.  In  Connecticut  and 
Rhode  Island,  it  was  deemed  unnecessary  to 
make  any  change  in  their  actual  situation, 
SF  2 


404  THE 

CHAP.  vi.  because  in  those  colonies,  the  executive  as  well 
1776.  as  the  whole  legislature  had  always  been  elected 
by  themselves.  In  Maryland,  Pennsylvania, 
and  New  York,  some  hesjtation  was,  at  first, 
discovered ;  and  the  assemblies  appeared  unwil- 
ling1 to  take  so  decisive  a  step.  The  public 
opinion,  however,  was  in  favour  of  it,  and  at 
length  prevailed. 

The  several  colonies,  now  contemplating 
themselves  as  sovereign  states,  and  mingling 
with  the  arduous  duty  of  providing  means  to 
repel  a  powerful  enemy,  the  important  and 
interesting  labour  of  framing  governments  for 
themselves,  and  their  posterity ;  exhibited  the 
novel  spectacle  of  matured  and  enlightened 
societies,  uninfluenced  by  external,  or  internal 
force,  devising,  according  to  their  own  judg- 
ments, political  systems  for  their  own  govern- 
ment. 

With  the  exceptions  already  stated  of  Con- 
necticut, and  Rhode  Island,  whose  systems  had 
ever  been  in  a  high  degree  democratic,  the 
novel  principle  of  limiting  the  constituted  aiv- 
thorities,  by  the  creation  of  a  written  constitu- 
tion prescribing  bounds  not  to  be  transcended 
by  the  legislature  itself,  was  every  where 
adopted. 

The  solid  foundations  for  a  popular  govern- 
ment were  already  laid  in  all  the  colonies. 
The  institutions  received  from  England  were 
admirably  well  calculated  to  prepare  the  way 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  4Q5 

for  a  temperate  and  rational  republic;  and  had  CHAP.VI. 
accustomed  them  to  the  election  of  representa-  irre. 
tives  to  compose  the  most  numerous  branch  of 
the  legislature,  and,  in  some  instances,  of  the 
second,  or  less  numerous  branch  also.  No 
hereditary  powers  had  ever  existed;  and. every 
authority  had  been  derived  either  from  the 
people,  or  the  king.  The  powers  of  the  crown 
being  no  longer  acknowledged,  the  people 
remained  the  only  source  of  legitimate  autho* 
rity.  The  materials  in  their  possession,  as 
well  as  their  habits  of  thinking,  were  adapted 
only  to  governments,  in  all  respects,  represen- 
tative; and  such  governments  were  universally 
adopted.  Under  various  modifications  and 
varieties,  produced  in  a  great  degree  by  former 
habits,  the  same  great  principles  were  estab- 
lished. In  general,  the  legislative,  executive, 
and  judicial  departments  were  rendered  distinct; 
with  the  apparent  intention  of  making  them 
independent  of  each  other,  in  a  very  consi- 
derable degree.  The  legislature  was  divided 
into  two  branches,  and  all  persons  holding 
offices  of  profit  or  trust,  excluded  from  it. 
The  executive  too  was  constituted  by  election, 
and  a  strong  jealousy  of  its  powers  was  every 
where  manifested.  The  judges  received  their 
appointments  from  the  legislature,  or  executive, 
and  in  most  instances  held  their  offices  during 
good  behaviour. 


406  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vf.  These  great  principles  formed  the  common 
1776.  basis  of  the  American  republics.  There  were, 
however,  some  exceptions  to  them.  In  some 
of  the  states,  the  legislature  consisted  of  a 
single  branch,  and  in  some  of  them,  the  tenure 
of  judicial  office  was  for  a  term  of  years ;  and  in 
Connecticut,  and  Rhode  Island,  where  the 
ancient  institutions  were  preserved,  they  con- 
tinued to  be  elected  by  the  people  annually, 
and  formed  one  branch  of  the  legislature. 

Various  too  were  the  qualifications  required 
to  confer  the  privilege  of  an  elector,  or  of 
being  elected;  and  the  second  branch  of  the 
legislature  was  variously  constructed.  In  some 
states,  a  greater,,  and  in  others,  a  less  effort 
was  discernible,  to  make  it  an  effectual  check 
on  the  more  popular  branch;  either  by  pro- 
longing the  time  for  which  its  members  were 
elected,  or  requiring  different  qualifications 
from  those  who  should  elect,  and,  in  some  in- 
•  stances,  by  even  permitting  them  to  fill  up  by 
their  own  act,  vacancies  created  in  their  body, 
during  the  time  for  which  it  had  been  consti- 
tuted. 

In  constructing  the  executive  too,  great 
varieties  appeared.  In  some  instances,  the 
governor  was  elected,  and  was  eligible  for  a 
longer,  in  others,  for  a  shorter  term :  in  some 
states,  he  was  invested  with  a  negative  on  the 
laws,  which  in  others  was  refused  him,  and 
with  power  to  make  appointments,  which,  more 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  4Q7 

generally,    was   exercised  by  the   legislature.  CHAP.VL 
In  some  instances,  he  acted  according  to  his     1776. 
own  judgment,  and  in  others'  was  divested  of 
all  responsibility,  by  being  placed  under  the 
absolute  control  of  an  executive  council. 

In  general,  however,  the  ancient  institutions 
were  preserved,  so  far  as  was  compatible  with 
the  abolition  of  regal  authority. 

The  provincial  assemblies,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  congress,  took  up  the  question  of 
independence;  and,  in  some  instances,  autho- 
rized their  representatives  in  the  great  national 
council,  to  enter  into  foreign  alliances.  Except 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  New  York,  they 
were  in  favour  of  a  total  and  immediate  sepa- 
ration from  Great  Britain ;  and  gave  instructions 
to  their  representatives  conforming  to  this 
opinion.  Measures  had  been  taken  to  ascertain 
the  sense  of  the  people  respecting  it,  which 
was  expressed  in  instructions  to  their  represen- 
tatives in  the  colonial  assemblies,  and  was 
generally  in  favour  of  it.  "  The  time  was," 
said  the  people  of  the  town  of  Malden,g  in 
Massachussetts,  "  when  we  loved  the  king,  and 
the  people  of  Great  Britain  with  an  affection 
truly  filial;  we  felt  ourselves  interested  in  their 
glory;  we  shared  in  their  joys  and  sorrows; 
we  cheerfully  poured  the  fruit  of  all  our 
labours  into  the  lap  of  our  mother  country,  and 

%  Gazette. 


THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. vi.  without   reluctance  expended  our  blood  and 
1776.    our  treasure  in  her  cause. 

"  These  were  our  sentiments  towards  Great 
Britain  while  she  continued  to  act  the  part  of  a 
parent  state;  we  felt  ourselves  happy  in  our 
connexion  with  her,  nor  wished  it  to  be  dis- 
solved. But  our  sentiments  are  altered.  It  is 
now  the  ardent  wish  of  our  souls  that  America 
may  become  a  free  and  independent  state." 

The  inhabitants  of  Boston,  ev^er  forward  and 
zealous  in  the  contest,  concluded,  in  their 
instructions,  a  recapitulation  of  the  existing 
causes  of  durable  animosity,  and  of  the  hazards 
of  restoring  the  past  connexion,  with  saying, 
"  we  therefore  think  it  almost  impracticable  for 
these  colonies  to  be  ever  again  subject  to,  or 
dependent  upon  Great  Britain,  without  endan- 
gering the  very  existence  of  the  state.  Placing, 
however,  unbounded  confidence  in  the  supreme 
councils  of  the  congress,  we  are  determined  to 
wait,  most  patiently  to  wait,  until  their  wisdom 
shall  dictate  the  necessity  of  making  a  declara- 
tion of  independence.  Nor  should  we  have 
ventured  to  express  our  sentiments  upon  the 
subject,  but  from  the  presumption  that  con- 
gress would  choose  to  feel  themselves  supported 
by  the  people  of  each  colony,  before  they  adopt 
a  resolution  so  interesting  to  the  whole.  The 
inhabitants  of  this  town,  therefore,  unanimously 
instruct  and  direct  you,  that,  at  the  approaching  . 
session  of  the  general  assembly,  you  use  your 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  409 

endeavours  that  the  delegates  of  this  colony  in  CHAP,  vi. 
congress  be  advised,  that  in  case  the  congress     1776. 
shall  think  it  necessary  for  the  safety  of  the 
United  Colonies,  to  declare  them  independent 
of  Great  Britain,  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony, 
with  their  lives,  and  the  remnant  of  their  for- 
tunes,  will  most  cheerfully  support  them   in 
that  measure."11 

The  people  of  the  other  parts  of  the  same 
province,  and  in  the  other  colonies  generally, 
manifested  the  same  spirit,  and  expressed  the 
same  sentiments.  In  South  Carolina,  they 
were  particularly  ardent ;  and  in  Virginia,  the 
public  sense  was  so  decisive  on  the  subject, 
that  the  convention  not  only  instructed  their 
representatives  to  move  the  resolution  in  the 
grand  council  of  the  continent,  but  declared 
that  colony  an  independent  state  before  the 
measure  was  sanctioned  by  congress. 

The  public  opinion  having  manifested  itself 
in  favour  of  independence,  the  great  and  deci- 
sive step  was  determined  on,  and  the  following 
resolution  was  moved  by  Richard  Henry  Lee, 
and  seconded  by  John  Adams,  "  resolved,  that 
these  United  Colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought 
to  be,  free  and  independent  states ;  and  that  all 
political  connexion  between  them  and  the  state  j^e?. 
of  Great  Britain  is,  and  ought  to  be  totally 
dissolved." 


h  Gazette. 
VOL.   II.  3   G 


410  THE  LIFE  °F 

CHAP,  vi.  This  resolution  was  referred  to  a  committee 
1776.  of  the  whole  congress,  where  it  was  daily 
debated.  All  the  colonies,  except  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Maryland,  had  expressed  their 
approbation  of  the  measure,  and  no  doubi  was 
entertained  of  its  adoption  ;  but  it  was  thought 
prudent  to  suspend  a  decision  on  it  until  the 
acquiescence  of  those  colonies  in  the  measure 
should  render  its  adoption  unanimous.*  Great 
exertions  were  made  in  both,  by  the  strong 
friends  of  this  resolution,  who  availed  them- 
selves of  the  apprehension,  that  those  who  did 
not  join  in  this  last  and  greatest  step  would 
be  excluded  from  the  union;  and,  at  length, 
instructions  were  received  from  the  conventions 
jui.e  -2s.  of  those  provinces  also  directing  their  repre- 
sentatives to  assent  to  it, 

The  resolution  was  now  unanimously  agreed 


independence  to,  and  the  declaration,  which  had  been  already 

declared.  .  .  J 

prepared  by  a  committee  appointed  tor  that 

purpose,    was    taken    into    consideration,    and 

Fourth,    after  several  amendments,  received  the  sanction 


of  the  whole  congress. 


*  While  this  vote  was  depending,  resolutions  were  en- 
tered into  by  congress,  declaring,  that  all  persons  residing 
within,  or  passing  through,  any  one  of  the  United  Colo- 
nies, owed  allegiance  to  the  government  thereof;  and  that 
any  such  person,  who  should  levy  war  against  any  of  the 
United  Colonies,  or  adhere  to  the  king  of  Great  Britain, 
or  other  enemies  of  the  said  colonies,  or  any  of  them, 
should  be  guilty  of  treason;  and  it  was  recommended  to 
the  several  legislatures  to  pass  laws  for  their  punishment. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

This  important  paper  commences  with  sta-  CHAP,  vi. 
ting  that,  "  when  in  the  course  of  human  events  1776. 
it  becomes  necessary  for  one  people  to  dis- 
solve the  political  bands  which  have  connected 
them  with  another,  and  to  assume  among  the 
powers  of  the  earth,  the  separate  and  equal 
stations  to  which  the  laws  of  Nature,  and  of 
Nature's  God,  entitle  them,  a  decent  respect  to 
the  opinions  of  mankind  requires,  that  they* 
should  declare  the  causes  which  impel  them  to 
the  separation." 

The  causes  are  then  stated,  and  a  long  enume- 
ration of  the  oppressions  complained  of  by 
America  is  closed  with  saying,  "  a  prince, 
whose  character  is  thus  marked  by  every  act 
which  may  define  a  tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be  the 
ruler  of  a  free  people." 

The  fruitless  appeals  which  harl  been  made  to 
the  people  of  Great  Britain  are  also  recounted, 
but,  "  they  too,"  concludes  this  declaration, 
"  have  been  deaf  to  the  voice  of  justice  and  of 
consanguinity.  We  must,  therefore,  acquiesce 
in  the  necessity  which  denounces  our  separa- 
tion, and  hold  them,  as  we  hold  the  rest  'of 
mankind,  enemies  in  war,  in  peace  friends. 

"  We  therefore,  the  representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  general  congress 


*  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  John  Adams,  Mr.  Franklin,  Mr. 

Sherman,  and  Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston,  were  appointed  to 

prepare  this  declaration;  and  the  draft  reported  by  the 

committee  has  been  generally  attributed  to  Mr.  Jefferson. 

3  G    2 


412  THE 

CHAP. vi.  assembled,  appealing  to  the  supreme  judge  of 
1776.  the  world  for  the  rectitude  of  our  intentions, 
do,  in  the  name,  and  by  the  authority  of  the 
good  people  of  these  colonies,  solemnly  pub- 
lish and  declare,  that  these  United  Colonies  are, 
and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  independent 
states;  that  they  are  absolved  from  all  allegiance 
to  the  British  crown,  and  that  all  political  con- 
nexion between  them  and  the  state  of  Great 
Britain,  is,  and  ought  to  be,  totally  dissolved; 
and  that,  as  free  and  independent  states,  they 
have  full  power  to  levy  war,  conclude  peace, 
contract  alliances,  establish  commerce,  and  do 
all  other  acts  and  things,  which  independent 
states  may  of  right  do.  And  for  the  support 
of  this  declaration,  with  a  firm  reliance  on  the 
protection  of  Divine  Providence,  we  mutually 
pledge  to  each  other,  our  lives,  our  fortunes, 
and  our  sacred  honour."* 

This  declaration  was  immediately  communi- 
cated to  the  armies,  where  it  was  received  with 
enthusiasm.  It  was  also  proclaimed  throughout 
the  United  States,  and  gave  to  the  people  very 
general  joy.  Some  individuals,  however,  who 
had  been  very  zealous  supporters  of  all  mea- 
sures, which  had  for  their  object  only  a  redress 
of  grievances ;  and  in  whose  bosoms  the  hope 
of  accommodation  still  lingered;  either  too 
timid  to  meet  the  arduous  conflict  which  this 

*  See  Note,  M.  XVIII.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  413 

measure  rendered,  in  their  estimation,  certain  CHAP,  vi. 
and  inevitable,  or  sincerely  believing  that  the     1776. 
happiness  of  America  would  be  best  consulted 
by  preserving  their  political   connexion  with 
Great  Britain,   viewed  the  dissolution  of  that 
connexion   with   anxious  regret;    and   others, 
who  afterwards  deserted  the  American  cause, 
which  they  had  at  first  embraced,  attributed 
their  defection  to  this  measure.    It  was  also  an 
unfortunate  truth  that,   in  the  whole  country 
between   New  England   and   the    Potowmac, 
which  was  now  to  become  the  great  theatre  of 
action,  although  the  majority  was  in  favour  of 
independence,  yet  there  existed  a  formidable 
minority,   who  not  only  refused  to  act  with 
their  countrymen,  but  were  ready  to  give  to 
the  enemy  every  aid  in  their  power. 

It  cannot,  however,  be  questioned,  that  the 
declaration  of  independence  was  wise  and  well 
timed;  and  that  since  the  continuance  of  the 
war  was  inevitable,  every  principle  of  sound 
policy  required,  that  the  avowed  characters  of 
the  parties  should  be  changed;  and  that  it 
should  no  longer  be  denominated,  or  considered, 
a  war  between  a  sovereign  and  his  acknow- 
ledged subjects. 


414  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Lord  and  sir  William  Howe  arrive  before  New  York.... 
Circular  letter  of  lord  Howe....State  of  the  American 
army.. ..The  enemy  land  in  force  on  Long  island.... 
Battle  of  Brooklyn  and  evacuation  of  Long  island... r 
Fruitless  negotiations.... New  York  evacuated. 

v/N  evacuating  Boston,  general  Howe  had 
retired  to  Halifax.  He  seems  to  have  intended 
there  to  wait  the  large  re-enforcements  expected 
from  England,  and  not  to  approach  his  adver- 
sary until  he  should  be  in  a  condition  to  act 
offensively,  and  with  such  success  as  would 
make  a  very  serious  impression.  But  the  situa- 
tion of  his  army  in  that  place  was  so  uncom- 
fortable, and  the  delays  in  the  arrival  of  the 
troops  from  Europe  were  so  great,  that  he  at 

length  resolved  with  the  forces  already  under 

1776.    his  command,  to  sail  for  New  York,   in  some 

June  10. 

of  the  islands  on  the  seaboard  of  which,    it 

would  be  in  his  power  to  take  a  station  of  per- 
feet  security,  until  he  should  be  strong  enough 
to  commence  the  great  plan  of  operations  which 
was  contemplated.  This  measure  was  recom- 
mended by  several  considerations.  His  troops 
would  there  receive  plentiful  supplies  of  fresh 
provisions ;  he  would  be  enabled  to  ascertain 
with  more  precision  the  dependence  to  be 
placed  on  the  inhabitants ;  and  in  the  mean 
time,  to  make  those  preparations  which  would 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  415 

facilitate  his  plan  for  opening  the  campaign  CHAP,  vu. 
with  vigour,  so  soon  as  his  whole  army  should  1776. 
be  collected.  In  the  latter  end  of  June,  he 
arrived  off  Sandyhook,  in  the  Grey-hound,  and 
on  the  twenty-ninth  of  that  month,  the  first 
division  of  the  fleet  from  Halifax  reached  the 
same  place.  The  rear  division  soon  followed, 
and  having  passed  the  Narrows,  landed  the 
troops  on  Staten  island,  where  general  Wash-  Ju'y 3  & 4- 
ington  had  placed  only  a  small  military  force, 
for  the  purpose  of  collecting  and  driving  off 
such  stock,  as  might  otherwise  supply  the 
invading  army  with  fresh  provisions.  Here, 
they  Avere  received  with  great  demonstrations 
of  joy  by  the  inhabitants,  who  took  the  oaths 
of  allegiance  to  the  British  crown,  and  em- 
bodied themselves  under  the  authority  of  the 
late  governor  Tryon,  for  the  defence  of  the 
island.  Strong  assurances  were  also  received 
from  Long  island,  and  the  neighbouring  parts 
of  New  Jersey,  of  the  favourable  dispositions 
of  a  great  proportion  of  the  people  to  the  royal 
cause.  On  Staten  island,  general  Howe  re- 
solved to  wait  until  his  army  should  be  in  full 
force,  unless  circumstances  should  require  a 
change  of  system. 

Foreseeing  the  distress  which  would  be  oc- 
casioned to  the  enemy,  by  cutting  off  those 
supplies  of  fresh  provisions  which  would  be 
particularly  useful  on  their  first  landing,  gene- 
ral Washington  had  urged  the  different  com- 


416  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vii.  mittees  to  co-operate  with  him  in  removing  the 
1776.  stock  and  grain  in  the  small  islands  near  the 
coast ;  which,  if  permitted  to  remain,  would 
inevitably  full  into  their  hands ;  but  this  wise 
precaution  had  been  only  in  part  executed,  and 
general  Howe  soon  obtained  partial  supplies  for 
himself  and  army. 

The  effect,  with  which  the  British  arms  had 
been  opposed  in  New  England,  had  demon- 
strated to  administration  the  very  serious  com- 
plexion of  the  war,  and  the  necessity  of 
employing  in  it  a  force  vastly  more  conside- 
rable, than  they  had  originally  supposed  could 
possibly  be  required.  In  addition  therefore  to 
the  national  troops,  they  had  subsidized  about 
thirteen  thousand  Hessians  and  Waldeckers, 
and  it  was  also  determined  to  employ  a  power- 
ful fleet  in  this  important  service. 

As  had  been  foreseen  by  general  Washington, 
the  great  effort  was  now  to  be  made  on  the 
Hudson.  A  variety  of  considerations  suggested 
the  policy  of  transferring  the  seat  of  war  to  this 
part  of  the  continent.  Such  is  the  formation 
of  the  country  on  the  sea  board,  being  divided 
into  islands  assailable  in  every  direction  by 
a  maritime  force,  that  it  requires  for  defence 
against  a  conjoint  attack  by  land  and  water, 
not  only  complete  fortifications,  but  a  very  for- 
midable army  also.  The  same  causes  which 
render  this  part  of  the  United  States  so  vulnerable 
to  an  invading  enemy  commanding  the  sea, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

secure  that  enemy  in  the  possession  of  it,  after  CHAP.VU. 
it  has  been  acquired.     It  must  always  be  found     177&. 
extremely  difficult  to  drive  even   an   inferior 
army  from  this  post,  without  first  obtaining  a 
naval  superiority. 

The  British  general  was  invited  to  New 
York,  not  only  by  the  facility  with  which  that 
position  could  be  taken  and  retained,  but  by  the 
great  and  superior  advantages  it  offered  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  war.  Long  island,  of  the 
secure  possession  of  which  he  could  not  enter- 
tain a  doubt,  unless  his  force  should  be  insuffi- 
cient to  make  any  impression  whatever  on 
America,  was  a  very  fertile  country,  abounding 
in  provisions  ;  and  would  of  itself  furnish  large 
supplies  to  his  army.  From  this  post  too  it 
was  optional  with  him  to  carry  the  war  east- 
wardly  into  New  England,  northwardly  into  the 
state  of  New  York,  or  westwardly  into  the 
Jerseys  and  Pennsylvania ;  or,  if  too  weak  to 
attempt  the  conquest  of  either,  he  could  retire 
into  a  place  of  security,  and  either  harass  the 
American  army,  and  the  adjacent  country,  or 
carry  on  expeditions  against  distant  parts  of  the 
continent.  In  fact,  it  enabled  him  to  com- 
mand perfectly  his  own  operations,  and  to 
choose  the  scene  of  action.  The  possession 
of  the  Hudson  too,  would  open  to  him  the  most 
direct  communication  with  Canada,  and  enable 
him  very  greatly  to  interrupt  the  intercourse 
between  the  eastern  and  southern  states.  In 

VOL.    II.  3  H 


418  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vii.  addition    to    these    circumstances,    he    would 

1776.    cover  his  friends,   who  in  turn  would  recruit 

his  army,  and  supply  it  with  those  necessaries, 

the  want  of  which  he  had  severely  experienced 

in  Boston. 

The  command  of  the  fleet  destined  for  this 
service     was    intrusted    to    lord    Howe,    the 
brother  of  the  general ;    and   they  were  both 
constituted  commissioners  for  restoring  peace 
to  the  colonies,    and  granting   pardons,    with 
such  exceptions  as  they  should  think  proper  to 
make.     Lord  Howe,   who  had  been  detained 
some  time  in  England  soliciting  an  enlarge- 
ment of  his  powers  as  commissioner,  arrived 
Lord  and      at  Halifax  about  a  fortnight  after  his  brother 
How^'lrr^e  had  left  that  place,  and  lost  no  time  in  proceed- 
New  York,  ing  after  him  to  Staten  island,  which  he  reached 
the  twelfth  of  July.1 

General  Washington  soon  received  evidence 
of  the  difficulty  attending  his  efforts  to  preserve 
this  important  river  from  an  enemy,  possessing 
so  powerful  a  fleet  as  was  now  to  act  against 
him.  Two  frigates  passed  his  batteries  without 
injury,  and  sailed  up  towards  the  highlands, 
the  passes  of  whigh  were  of  essential  impor- 
tance, and  were  very  weakly  defended.  It  was 
apprehended  that  on  board  these  frigates  might 
be  a  small  body  of  troops,  and  arms  for  the 
numerous  disaffected  of  that  country,  with 

'  Jtnnual  Register. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  419 

whose  aid,  sadden  possession  might  be  taken  CHAP.VH. 
of  these  important  positions.  It  was  impos-  1776. 
sible  still  further  to  weaken  the  army  at  New 
York  for  the  defence  of  these  passes,  and  there- 
fore the  militia  were  called  upon  to  maintain 
them.  The  frigates,  however,  did  not  make 
the  attempt  which  was  apprehended  from 
them ;  but,  by  retaining  this  station,  they 
cut  off  the  communication  by  water,  between 
the  army  at  New  York  and  that  at  Ticon- 
deroga.  To  remove  this  interruption,  a  plan 
was  formed  to  set  the  frigates  on  fire  by 
means  of  a  lire-ship.  This  plan,  though  con- 
siderable address  and  courage  were  manifested 
in  the  attempt,  failed  in  the  execution;  and 
only  a  tender  was  burnt.  The  frigates  returned, 
but  this  fact  demonstrated  a  truth  which  the 
general  had  before  believed,  that  a  ship  with 
a  fair  wind  would  pass  his  batteries  at  pleasure, 
unless  stopped  before  them  by  obstacles  in  the 
channel. 

Notwithstanding  the  declaration  of  indepen- 
dence had  now  been  made,  lord  Howe  deter- 
mined,   while   the   troops  from  Europe  were 
arriving,  to  try  the  influence  of  the  powers  for  circular 
pacification  which  had  been  committed  to  him. lord  Howe- 
He  sent  on  shore,  by  a  flag,  a  circular  letter,    July  14- 
dated  off  the  coast  of  Massachusetts,  addressed 
severally  to  the  late  governors  under  the  crown, 
enclosing  a  declaration  which  he  requested  them 
to  make  public;  and  which  announced  to  the 
3  H  2 


420  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vn.  people  his  authority  to  grant  pardons  to  any 
1776.  number  or  description  of  persons,  who,  during 
the  tumult  and  disasters  of  the  times,  might 
have  deviated  from  their  just  allegiance,  and 
who  might  be  willing,  by  a  speedy  return  to 
their  duty,  to  reap  the  benefits  of  the  royal 
favour ;  and  to  declare  any  colony,  town,  port, 
or  place,  in  the  peace  and  under  the  protection 
of  the  crown,  and  excepted  from  the  penal  pro- 
visions of  the  act  of  parliament  prohibiting  all 
trade  and  intercourse  with  the  colonies.  This 
letter  also  contained  assurances  that  the  meri- 
torious services  of  all  persons  who  should  aid 
and  assist  in  restoring  public  tranquility  in  the 
colonies,  or  in  any  parts  thereof,  would  be  duly 
considered. 

These  papers  were  immediately  transmitted 
juiy  19.  by  the  commander  in  chief  to  congress,  who 
resolved  that  they  should  "  be  published  in  the 
several  gazettes,  that  the  good  people  of  the 
United  States  might  be  informed  of  what  nature 
were  the  commissioners,  and  what  the  terms, 
writh  the  expectation  of  which,  the  insidious 
court  of  Britain  had  sought  to  amuse  and  dis- 
arm them  ;  and  that  the  few  who  still  remained 
suspended  by  a  hope  founded  either  in  the  jus- 
tice or  moderation  of  their  late  king,  might, 
now  at  length  be  convinced,  that  the  valour 
alone  of  their  country  is  to  save  its  liberties." 

About  the  same  time  that  these  papers  were 
put  into  circulation,  lord  Howe  sent,  with  a 
flag,  a  letter  addressed  to  "  George  Washington 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  421 

esquire,"  which  the  general  refused  to  receive,  CHAP,  vu. 
as  "it  did  not  acknowledge  the  public  character  1776. 
with  which  he  was  invested  by  congress,  and 
in  no  other  character  could  he  have  any  inter- 
course with  his  lordship."  This  dignified  pro- 
ceeding was  highly  approved  by  congress,  in 
a  particular  resolution  which  also  directed, 
11  that  no  letter  or  message  be  received  on  any 
occasion  whatever  from  the  enemy,  by  the 
commander  in  chief,  or  others,  the  command- 
ers of  the  American  army,  but  such  as  shall 
be  directed  to  them  in  the  characters  they  res- 
pectively su  stain . ' ' 

As  there  was  some  difficulty  in  recognising 
either  the  civil  or  military  character  conferred 
on  individuals  by  the  existing  powers  in  Ame- 
rica, and  yet  it  was  desirable,  either  for  the 
purpose  of  effecting  a  pacification,  or  of  divid- 
ing still  more  the  Americans,  if  a  pacification 
should  be  impracticable,  to  open  negotiations, 
and  hold  out  the  semblance  of  restoring  peace, 
the  commissioners  cast  about  for  means  to 
evade  this  preliminary  obstacle  to  any  discus- 
sion of  the  terms  they  were  authorized  to  pro- 
pose; and,  at  length,  colonel  Patterson,  adjutant  juiy  20. 
general  of  the  British  army,  was  sent  on  shore 
by  general  Howe,  with  a  letter  directed  to 
"  George  Washington,  &c.  &c.  &c."  He  was 
introduced  to  the  general,  whom  he  addressed 
by  the  title  of  "excellency;"  and,  after  the 
usual  compliments,  entered  on  business  by 


422  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vii.  saying,  that  general  Howe  much  regretted  the 
1776.  difficulties  which  had  arisen  respecting  the 
address  of  the  letters  ;  that  the  mode  adopted 
was  deemed  consistent  with  propriety,  and  was 
founded  on  precedent  in  cases  of  ambassadors, 
and  plenipotentiaries,  where  disputes  or  diffi- 
culties about  rank  had  arisen :  that  general 
Washington  might  recollect  he  had,  last 
summer,  addressed  a  letter  to  "  the  honour- 
able William  Howe,"  that  lord,  and  general 
Howe,  did  not  mean  to  derogate  from  his  rank, 
or  the  respect  due  to  him;  and  that  they  held 
his  person  and  character  in  the  highest  esteem, 
but  that  the  direction,  with  the  addition  of  &c. 
&c.  &c.  implied  every  thing  which  ought  to 
follow.  Colonel  Patterson  then  produced  a 
letter  which  he  said  was  the  same  that  had  been 
sent,  and  which  he  laid  on  the  table. 

The  general  declined  receiving  it,  and  said, 
that  a  letter  directed  to  a  person  in  a  public 
character,  should  have  some  description  or 
indication  of  that  character,  otherwise  it  would 
be  considered  as  a  mere  private  letter.  It 
was  true  the  etceteras  implied  every  thing, 
and  they  also  implied  any  thing.  That  the 
letter  to  general  HOAVC,  alluded  to,  was  an 
answer  to  one  received  from  him  under  a  like 
address ;  which,  having  been  taken  by  the 
officer  on  duty,  he  did  not  think  proper  to 
return ;  and  therefore  answered  in  the  same 
mode  of  address ;  and  that  he  should  absolutely 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  423 

decline  any  letter  relating  to  his  public  station,  CHAP.VH. 
directed  to  him  as  a  private  person.  1776. 

Colonel  Patterson  then  said,  that  general 
Howe  would  not  urge  his  delicacy  further,  and 
repeated  his  assertions  that  no  failure  of  respect 
was  intended. 

Some  conversation  then  passed  relative  to 
the  treatment  of  prisoners)  after  which,  colonel 
Patterson  said,  that  the  goodness  and  benevo- 
lence of  the  king  had  induced  him  to  appoint 
lord  Howe,  and  general  Howe,  his  commis- 
sioners to  accommodate  the  unhappy  dispute  at 
present  subsisting:  that  they  had  great  powers, 
and  would  derive  much  pleasure  from  effecting 
the  accommodation;  and  that  he  wished  this 
visit  to  be  considered  as  making  the  first  ad- 
vance towards  so  desirable  an  object. 

General  Washington  replied,  that  he  was 
not  vested  with  any  powers  on  this  subject,  by 
those  from  whom  he  derived  his  authority  ; 
but  he  would  observe  that,  so  far  as  he  could 
judge  from  what  had  as  yet  transpired,  lord 
Howe  and  general  Howe  were  only  empowered 
to  grant  pardons: — that  those  who  had  com- 
mitted no  fault,  wanted  no  pardon ;  and  that 
the  Americans  were  only  defending  what  they 
deemed  their  indubitable  rights.  This,  colonel 
Patterson  said,  would  open  a  very  wide  field 
for  argument :  and  after  expressing  his  fears 
that  an  adherence  to  forms  might  obstruct  busi- 


424  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vu.  ness  of  the  greatest  moment  and  concern,  he 
irre.    took  his  leave. 

The  substance  of  this  conversation  was  com- 
municated to  congress,  and  was  ordered  by 
that  body  to  be  published. 

In  the  mean  time,  general  Washington  was 
extremely  desirous  of  making  some  impression 
on  the  enemv  before  their  whole  -force  should 

v 

be  collected.  He  conceived  it  to  be  very  prac- 
ticable to  cross  over  in  the  night  from  the 
mouth  of  Thompson's  creek,  a  little  below 
Elizabeth  town  on  the  Jersey  shore,  to  Staten 
island,  and  cut  off  some  detached  posts  of  the 
enemy  near  the  blazing  star,  within  a  penin- 
sula formed  by  two  creeks,  which  could  not 
easily  be  re-enforced.  This  plan  was  to  be 
executed  by  general  Mercer,  who  commanded 
the  flying  camp,  and  who  assisted  in  forming  it; 
but  the  weather,  gn  the  night  fixed  on  for  its 
execution,  was  so  very  tempestuous,  as  to 
make  it  impossible  to  cross  the  sound  in  such 
boats  as  had  been  provided. 

August.  The  re-enforcements  to  the  British  army, 
about  four  hundred  and  fifty  of  whom  had  been 
captured  by  the  American  cruizers,  were  now 
arriving  daily  from  Europe,  and  general  Howe 
had  also  been  joined  by  the  troops  from  the 
southward.  His  strength  was  not  accurately 
known,  but  was  estimated,  in  the  total,  at 
about  twenty  four  thousand  men.  The  last 
division  of  the  Germans  had  not  yet  reached 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  425 

him,  but  they  were  not  expected  soon,  and  he  CHAP.VH. 
thought  himself  strong  enough  to   open  the     1776. 
campaign  without  them. 

To  this  army,  alike  formidable  for  its  num- 
bers and  the  abundant  supply  of  military  stores 
of  every  sort,  with  which  it  was  furnished; 
aided  in  its  operations  by  a  numerous  fleet; 
general  Washington  had,  from  the  time  it  was 
first  expected,  incessantly  pressed  congress  to 
oppose  a  force,  permanent  in  its  own  nature; 
capable,  from  its  structure,  of  receiving  mili- 
tary discipline;  and  competent,  in  point  of 
numbers,  to  the  defence  of  the  country.  It 
has  been  already  observed,  that  these  remon- 
strances had  not  produced  all  the  effect  to  which 
they  were  entitled. 

Without  doubt,  the  difficulties  embarrassing 
congress  were  of  a  nature  not  to  be  immediately 
or  entirely  removed  by  human  efforts.  Hosti- 
lities had  commenced  at  a  time,  when  neither 
arms,  ammunition,  nor  military  stores  of  any 
kind,  sufficient  to  serve  a  moderate  army  a 
single  campaign,  were  in  the  country.  The 
government  was  in  possession  of  no  revenue, 
and  those  resources  from  which  revenue  might 
be  expected  to  flow,  were  dried  up  by  the 
almost  total  annihilation  of  their  commerce. 
They  could  only  rely  on  paper  emissions  un- 
supported by  solid  funds,  the  value  of  which 
could  only  be  kept  up  by  "heavy  taxes  which 
they  had  not  the  power  to  impose,  and  the  im- 

VOL.   II.  3  I 


426  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vn  position  of  which,  had  they  possessed  the 
1776.  power,  might  produce  very  serious  effects  on 
•  the  dispositions  of  the  people.  It  was  therefore 
necessary  to  disburse  money  with  great  caution : 
yet  this  saving  temper,  however  necessary  to 
a  certain  extent,  might  be  carried  too  far;  and 
it  wras  possible  to  expose  to  hazard,  by  a  too 
rigid  economy,  the  most  important  objects. 
But  there  were  certain  opinions  prevalent  in  the 
United  States,  from  which  they  receded  slowly, 
and  from  which  melancholy  experience  only 
could  drive  them,  that  were  productive  of  the 
most  fatal  consequences.  One  of  these,  and 
the  most  essential,  w^as,  that  an  army  could  be 
created  every  campaign,  for  the  purposes  of  that 
campaign ;  and  that  such  temporary  provisions 
might  be  relied  on,  for  the  defence  of  the 
country.  It  is  probable  that  this  system  owes 
its  introduction,  in  some  degree,  to  the  state 
of  things  when  the  army  was  raised,  that  mea- 
sure being  the  act  of  separate  and  temporary 
governments;  in  some  degree,  to  the  nature  of 
the  war,  the  prosecution  of  which  they  still 
hoped  would  be  abandoned  by  the  British 
nation,  when  the  extent  of  the  opposition  in 
America  should  be  known ;  in  some  degree  to 
the  ancient  habits  of  the  eastern  colonies;  and 
in  some  degree  to  the  prejudices  against  a 
regular  army,  and  a  disinclination  to  believe 
in  the  superiority  of  a  permanent  and  disciplined 
force.  It  is  probable  that  the  hope  was  cherished 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  427 

by  many,  that  the  commissioners,  who  had  CHAP.VH. 
been  long  expected,  would  bring  with  them  1776. 
propositions  which  would  serve  as  the  basis  of 
an  accommodation ;  and,  though  the  majority 
had  taken  up  opinions  in  favour  of  independence, 
yet  the  minority  was  capable  of  impeding  mea- 
sures which  seemed  to  exclude  every  idea  of 
terminating  the  war  but  by  the  sword.  In  a 
private  letter  written  by  general  Washington 
whilst  attending  congress  in  May,  to  a  confi- 
dential friend,  he  declared  the  opinion,  that 
nothing  was  to  be  expected  from  the  commis- 
sioners, and  that  the  idea  had  only  been  sug- 
gested to  deceive  America,  and  prevent  her 
taking  those  measures  which  her  situation  ren- 
dered necessary.  "  This,"  he  added,  "  has 
been  too  effectually  accomplished,  as  many 
members  of  congress,  in  short  the  representa- 
tives of  whole  provinces,  are  still  feeding 
themselves  on  the  dainty  food  of  reconciliations, 
and  though  they  will  not  allow  that  the  expec- 
tation of  it  has  any  influence  on  their  judgments, 
so  far  as  respects  preparations  for  defence,  it 
is  but  too  obvious  that  it  has  an  operation  on 
every  part  of  their  conduct,  and  is  a  clog  to  all 
their  proceedings.  It  is  not  in  the  nature  of 
things  to  be  otherwise ;  for  no  man  who  enter- 
tains a  hope  of  seeing  this  dispute  speedily  and 
equitably  adjusted  by  commissioners,  will  go 
to  the  same  expense,  and  incur  the  same 
hazards,  to  prepare  for  the  worst  event,,  that 
3  i  2 


428  T1IE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vii.  he  will,  who  believes  that  he  must  conquer,  or 
1776.    submit  unconditionally,   and  take  the   conse- 
quences, such  as  confiscation  and  hanging." 

Whatever  might  be  the  causes,  it  is  certain 

that  the  American  army  was  not  in  a  condition 

state  of  the   to  realize   the  hopes   of  the   country,    or  the 

American  .  .      ' 

army.  wishes  of  its  chief.  It  consisted,  when  general 
Howe  landed  on  Staten  island,  of  not  more 
than  ten  thousand  men.  This  small  force  was 
not  yet  sufficiently  furnished  with  arms,  and 
the  men  were  very  sickly.  The  diseases  which 
always  afflict  new  troops  were,  probably,  in 
spme  degree,  increased  by  their  being  greatly 
exposed  in  consequence  of  the  want  of  tents. 
At  the  instance  of  the  general,  some  regiments 
stationed  in  the  different  states  were  ordered 
to  join  him,  and  in  addition  to  the  requisitions 
of  men  to  serve  until  December,  requisitions 
not  yet  complied  with,  the  neighbouring  mi- 
litia were  called  into  service  for  the  present 
exigency.  Yet  on  the  eighth  of  August,  in  a 
letter  to  congress,  he  stated,  that  "  for  the 
several  posts  on  New  York,  Long,  and  Gover- 
nor's islands,  and  Paulus  hook,  the  army  con-< 
sisted  of  only  seventeen  thousand  two  hundred 
and  twenty-five  men,  of  whom  three  thousand 
six  hundred  and  sixty-eight  were  sick;  and 
that,  in  case  of  an  immediate  attack,  he  could 
count  certainly  on  no  other  addition  to  his 
numbers,  than  a  battalion  from  Maryland  under 
the  command,  of  colonel  Smallwood.  This 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  429 

force  was  rendered  the  more  inadequate  to  its  CHAP.VH. 
objects  by  being  necessarily  divided  for  the     1776. 
defence  of  posts,   some  of  which  were  fifteen 
miles  distant  from  others,  with  navigable  waters 
between  them. 

"  These  things,"  continued  the  letter,  "are 
melancholy,  but  they  are  nevertheless  true.  I 
hope  for  better.  Under  every  disadvantage, 
my  utmost  exertions  shall  be  employed  to 
bring  about  the  great  end  we  have  in  view; 
and  so  far  as  I  can  judge  from  the  professions, 
and  apparent  dispositions  of  my  troops,  I  shall 
have  their  support.  The  superiority  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  expected  attack  do  not  seem 
to  have  depressed  their  spirits.  These  con- 
siderations lead  me  to  think  that  though  the 
appeal  may  not  terminate  so  happily  as  I  could 
wish,  yet  the  enemy  will  not  succeed  in  their 
views  without  considerable  loss.  Any  advan- 
tage they  may  gain,  I  trust  will  cost  them 
dear." 

Soon  after  this  letter,  the  army  was  re- 
enforced  by  Small  wood's  regiment,  and  by 
two  regiments  from  Pennsylvania,  with  a  body 
of  New  England  and  New  York  militia,  which 
increased  it  to  twenty-seven  thousand  men,  of 
whom  one  fourth  were  sick. 

A  part  of  this  army  was  stationed  on  Long 
island,  where  major  general  Greene  originally 
commanded,  but  he  being  unfortunately  taken 
extremely  ill,  was  succeeded  by  major  general 


430  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. VIT.  Sullivan.  The  residue  occupied  different  sta- 
1776.  tions  on  York  island,  except  two  small  detach- 
ments, one  on  Governor's  island,  and  the  other 
at  Paul  us  hook :  and  except  a  part  of  the  New 
York  militia  under  general  Clinton,  who  were 
stationed  on  the  sound,  towards  New  Rochelle, 
East  and  West  Chester,  in  order  to  give  some 
opposition  to  the  enemy  in  the  event  of  a  sud- 
den attempt  to  land  above  Kingsbridge,  and 
cut  off  the  communication  with  the  country. 

As  an  attack  from  the  enemy  was  daily  ex- 
pected, and  it  was  believed  that  the  influence 
of  the  first  battle  would  be  very  considerable, 
all  the  vigilance  and  attention  of  the  general 
was  unremittingly  exerted  to  prevent  among 
his  raw  troops  those  unmilitary  and  dangerous 
practices,  into  which  men,  unused  to  the  neces- 
sary restraints  of  a  camp,  will  ever  indulge; 
and  to  establish,  as  far  as  possible,  those  prin- 
ciples of  subordination  and  exact  observance 
of  orders,  so  essential  to  victory.  He  also 
used  every  expedient  to  rouse  the  latent  sparks 
of  that  enthusiastic  love  of  liberty,  that  indig- 
nation against  the  invaders  of  their  country, 
and  that  native  courage,  which  he  believed 
now  animated  the  bosoms  of  Americans;  and 
whi'jh  he  greatly  relied  on  as  substitutes  for 
discipline  and  experience.  "  The  time,"  say 
his  orders  issued  soon  after  the  arrival  of 
general  Howe,  "  is  now  near  at  hand,  which 
must  probably  determine  whether  Americans 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  431 

arc  to  be  freemen  or  slaves ;  whether  they  are  CHAP,  vu. 
to  have  any  property  they  can  call  their  own ;  1776. 
whether  their  houses  and  farms  are  to  be  pil- 
laged and  destroyed,  and  themselves  consigned 
to  a  state  of  wretchedness  from  which  no 
human  efforts  will  deliver  them.  The  fate  of 
unborn  millions  will  now  depend,  under  God, 
on  tl^e  courage  and  conduct  of  this  army. 
Our  cruel  and  unrelenting  enemy  leaves  us 
only  the  choice  of  a  brave  resistance,  or  the 
most  abject  submission.  We  have  therefore 
to  resolve  to  conquer,  or  to  die.  Our  own, 
our  country's  honour  call  upon  us  for  a  vigo- 
rous and  manly  exertion;  and  if  we  now  shame- 
fully fail,  we  shall  become  infamous  to  the 
whole  world.  Let  us  then  rely  on  the  goodness 
of  our  cause,  and  the  aid  of  the  Supreme  Being, 
in  whose  hands  victory  is,  to  animate  and  en- 
courage us  to  great  and  noble  actions.  The 
eyes  of  all  our  countrymen  are  now  upon  us, 
and  we  shall  have  their  blessings  and  praises, 
if  happily  we  are  the  instruments  of  saving  them 
from  the  tyranny  meditated  against  them.  Let 
us  therefore  animate  and  encourage  each  other, 
and  show  the  whole  world  that  a  freeman  con- 
tending for  liberty  on  his  own  ground,  is 
superior  to  any  slavish  mercenary  on  earth." 

He  recommended  to  the  officers,  great  cool- 
ness in  time  of  action;  and  to  the  soldiers, 
strict  attention  and  obedience,  with  a  becoming 
firmness  and  spirit. 


432  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vii.      He  assured  them,  that  any  officer,  soldier, 

1776.  or  corps,  \vhich  should  distinguish  him,  or 
themselves,  by  any  acts  of  extraordinary 
bravery,  should  most  certainly  meet  v,  ith  notice 
and  rewards;  whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  those 
who  should  fail  in  the  performance  of  their  duty, 
would  as  certainly  be  exposed  and  punished. 

jniy  21.  Whilst  preparing  for  the  expected  engage- 
ment, intelligence  was  received  of  the  repulse 
of  the  enemy  in  their  attack  on  fort  Moultrie, 
and  he  availed  himself  of  the  occasion  of  com- 
municating this  success  to  his  army,  to  add  the 
spirit  of  emulation  to  the  other  motives  which 
should  impel  them  to  manly  exertions.  "  This 
glorious  example  of  our  troops  under  the 
like  circumstances  with  ourselves,  the  general 
hopes  will  animate  every  officer  and  soldier  to 
imitate,  and  even  to  out-do  them,  when  the 
enemy  shall  make  the  same  attempt  on  us. 
With  such  a  bright  example  before  us  of  what 
can  be  done  by  brave  men  fighting  in  defence 
of  their  country,  we  shall  be  loaded  with  a 
double  share  of  shame  and  infamy,  if  we  do 
not  acquit  ourselves  with  courage,  and  manifest 
a  determined  resolution  to  conquer  or  die. 
With  the  hope  and  confidence  that  this  army 
will  have  an  equal  share  of  honour  and  success, 
the  general  most  earnestly  exhorts  every  offi- 
cer and  soldier  to  pay  the  utmost  attention  to 
his  arms,  and  health;  to  have  the  former  in 
the  best  order  for  action;  and  by  cleanliness 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  433 

and  care,  to  preserve  the  latter:  to  be  exact  in  CHAP. vn. 
their  discipline,   obedient  to  their  superiors,     1776. 
and  vigilant  on  duty.    With  such  preparations, 
and  a  suitable  spirit,  there  can  be  no  doubt  but 
by  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  we  shall  repel  our 
cruel  invaders,  preserve  our  country,  and  gain 
the  greatest  honour." 

As  the  crisis  approached,  his  anxiety  in- 
creased. Endeavouring  to  breathe  into  his 
army  his  own  spirit,  and  to  give  them  his 
own  feeling;  he  thus  addressed  them.  "  The 
enemy's  whole  re-enforcement  is  now  arrived, 
so  that  an  attack  must,  and  will  soon  be  made. 
The  general  therefore  again  repeats  his  earnest 
request,  that  every  officer  and  soldier  will  have 
his  arms  and  ammunition  in  good  order;  keep 
within  his  quarters  and  encampments,  as  much 
as  possible;  be  ready  for  action  at  a  moment's 
call;  and  when  called  to  it,  remember,  that 
liberty,  property,  life,  and  honour,  are  all  at 
stake;  that  upon  their  courage  and  conduct, 
rest  the  hopes  of  their  bleeding  and  insulted 
country;  that  their  wives,  children,  and  parents, 
expect  safety  from  them  only;  and  that  we 
have  every  reason  to  believe  that  Heaven  will 
crown  with  success  so  just  a  cause. 

"  The  enemy  will  endeavour  to  intimidate 
by  show  and  appearance ;  but,  remember,  they 
have  been  repulsed  on  various  occasions  by  a 
few  brave  Americans;  their  cause  is  bad;  their 
men  are  conscious  of  it;  and  if  opposed  with 

VOL.    II.  3   K 


434  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vn.  firmness  and  coolness  on  their  first  onset,  with 
1776.  our  advantage  of  works,  and  knowledge  of  the 
ground,  the  victory  is  most  assuredly  ours. 
Every  good  soldier  will  be  silent  and  attentive, 
wait  for  orders,  and  reserve  his  fire  until  he  is 
sure  of  doing  execution;  of  this,  the  officers 
are  to  be  particularly  careful." 

He  then  gave  the  most  explicit  orders,  that 
any  soldier  who  should  attempt  to  conceal  him- 
self, or  retreat  without  orders,  should  instantly 
be  shot  down,  as  an  example  of  the  punishment 
of  cowardice,  and  desired  every  officer  to  be 
particularly  attentive  to  the  conduct  of  his  men, 
and  report  those  who  should  distinguish  them- 
selves by  brave  and  noble  actions,  whom  he 
solemnly  promised  to  notice  and  reward.  Thus 
did  he  endeavour  to  compensate,  by  infusing 
into  every  bosom  those  sentiments  which  would 
lead  to  the  greatest  individual  exertion,  for 
want  of  arms,  discipline  and  numbers. 

As  the  defence  of  Long  island  was  intimately 
connected  with  that  of  New  York,  a  brigade 
had  very  early  been  stationed  there,  and  had 
taken  a  strong  position  at  Brooklyn,  capable 
of  beins:  maintained  for  a  considerable  time. 

o 

This  post,  communicating  immediately  with 
York  island,  might  either  be  re-enforced  or 
abandoned  as  occasion  should  require,  and 
there  an  extensive  camp  had  been  marked  out 
and  fortified.  Brooklyn  is  a  village  on  a  small 
peninsula  made  by  the  East  river,  the  bay,  and 
Gowan's  cove.,  into  which  a  creek  empties 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  435 

Itself.  The  encampment  fronted  the  main  land  CHAP.VH. 
of  the  island,  and  the  works  stretched  quite  1776. 
across  the  peninsula  from  Whaaleboght  bay  in 
the  East  river  on  the  left,  to  a  deep  marsh  on 
the  creek  emptying  into  Gowan's  cove  on  the 
right.  The  rear  was  covered  and  defended 
from  an  attack  from  the  ships,  by  strong  bat- ' 
teries  on  Red  hook,  and  on  Governor's  island, 
which  in  a  great  measure  commanded  that  part 
of  the  bay,  and  by  other  batteries  on  East  river 
which  kept  open  the  communication  with  York 
island.  In  front  of  the  camp  was  a  range  of 
hills  covered  with  thick  woods,  which  extended 
from  east  to  west  nearly  the  length  of  the 
island,  and  across  which  were  three  different 
roads  leading  to  Brooklyn  ferry.  These  hills 
though  steep,  are  every  where  passable  by 
infantry. 

The  movements  of  the  enemy  soon  indi- 
cated an  intention  to  make  their  first  attack 
on  Long  island,  in  consequence  of  which,  ge- 
neral Sullivan  was  strongly  re-enforced.  Early  The  enemv 

&  J  J   land  in 

in   the   morning    of  the   twenty-second,    thef°lce?"   , 

J  Long  island. 

principal  part  of  the  British  troops,  with  colo- 
nel Donop's  corps  of  Chasseurs  and  Hessian 
grenadiers,  with  forty  pieces  of  cannon,  landed 
without  opposition,  under  cover  of  the  guns  of 
the  fleet,  near  Utrecht  and  Gravesend,  on  the 
south  west  point  of  the  island,  and  not  far  from 
the  Narrows,  where  it  approaches  nearest  to 
Staten  island.  This  division  of  the  army  was 
3  K  2 


436  THE  L1FE  OF 

CHAP,  vii.  commanded  by  lieutenant  general  Clinton.  A 
1776.  regiment  of  Pennsylvanians,  under  colonel 
Hand,  who  guarded  the  coast,  retired  before 
them  to  the  woody  heights  commanding  a  pass 
leading  directly  through  Flatbush  to  the  works 
at  Brooklyn.  Lord  Cornwallis  was  immedi- 
ately detached  to  Flatbush  with  orders  to  seize 
the  pass,  if  it  should  be  unoccupied,  but  not 
to  risk  an  attack  if  he  found  it  in  the  possession 
of  the  Americans.  The  pass  being  guarded, 
his  lordship  took  post  in  the  village,  and  the 
army  extended  from  the  ferry  at  the  Narrows, 
through  Utrecht  and  Gravesend,  to  the  village 
of  Flatland.k 

There  being  now  a  certainty  that  an  engage- 
ment would  soon  take  place,  general  Wash- 
ington made  still  another  effort  to  inspire  his 
troops  with  the  most  determined  courage. 
juiy 23.  "  The  enemy,"  said  he  in  addressing  them, 
"  have  now  landed  on  Long  island,  and  the 
hour  is  fast  approaching,  on  which  the  honour 
and  success  of  this  army,  and  the  safety  of  our 
bleeding  country  depends.  Remember,  officers 
and  soldiers,  that  you  are  freemen  fighting  for 
the  blessings  of  liberty — that  slavery  will  be 
your  portion,  and  that  of  your  posterity,  if  you 
do  not  acquit  yourselves  like  men.  Remember 
how  your  courage  has  been  despised  and  tra- 
duced by  your  cruel  invaders ;  though  they 
have  found  by  dear  experience,  at  Boston, 


k  General  Howe's  letter. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  43  •? 

Charleston,  and  other  places,  what  a  few  brave  CHAP.  vu. 
men,  contending  in  their  own  land,  and  in  the  1776. 
best  of  causes,  can  do  against  hirelings  and 
mercenaries.  Be  cool,  but  determined.  Do 
not  fire  at  a  distance,  but  wait  for  orders  from 
your  officers."  He  repeated  his  injunctions  to 
shoot  down  any  person  who  should  misbehave 
in  action,  and  his  hope  "  that  none  so  infamous 
would  be  found ;  but  that,  on  the  contrary, 
each  for  himself,  resolving  to  conquer  or  die, 
and  trusting  to  the  smiles  of  heaven  on  so  just 
a  cause,  would  behave  with  bravery  and  reso- 
lution." His  assurance  of  rewards  to  those 
\vho  should  distinguish  themselves  wrere  re- 
peated ;  and  he  declared  "  his  confidence  that, 
if  the  army  would  but  emulate  and  imitate  their 
brave  countrymen  in  other  parts  of  America, 
they  would,  by  a  glorious  victory,  save  their 
country,  and  acquire  to  themselves  immortal 
honour." 

Major  general  Putnam  was  now  directed  to 
to  take  command  at  Brooklyn,  which  camp 
was  re-enforced  with  six  regiments ;  and  he 
was  charged  most  earnestly  by  the  commander 
in  chief,  to  be  in  constant  readiness  for  an  attack, 
and  to  guard  the  woods  between  the  two  camps 
with  his  best  troops.  On  the  same  day,  lieu- 
tenant general  De  Heister  landed  with  two  bri- 
gades of  Hessians.  The  next  day,  he  took 
post  at  Flatbush,  and  in  the  evening,  lord 
Cornwallis  with  the  British  drew  off  to  Flat- 
land. 


438  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. vn.      General  Washington  had  passed  the  day  at 
1776.    Brooklyn,    making  the  best  arrangements  for 
J^y26     the  approaching  action,  and  at  night,  returned 
to  New  York. 

The  Hessians  under  general  de  Heister  com- 
posed the  center  of  the  British  army  at  Flat- 
bush  ;  major  general  Grant  commanded  the 
left  wing,  which  extended  to  the  coast,  and 
the  greater  part  of  the  British  "forces,  under 
general  Clinton,  earl  Percy,  and  lord  Corn- 
wallis,  turned  short  to  the  right  and  approached 
the  opposite  coast  at  Flatland.1 

The  two  armies  were  now  separated  from 
each  other  by  the  range  of  hills  already  men- 
tioned. The  center  of  the  enemy  at  Flatbush 
was  scarcely  four  miles  distant  from  the  lines 
at  Brooklyn,  andTa  direct  road  led  across  the 
heights  from  the  one  to  the  other.  There  was 
also  another  road,  rather  more  circuitous  than 
the  first,  leading  from  Flatbush  by  the  way  of 
Bedford,  a  small  village  ©n  the  Brooklyn  side 
of  the  hills.  The  right  and  left  wings  of  the 
British  army  were  nearly  equi- distant  from  the 
American  works,  and  about  five  or  six  miles 
from  them.  The  road  leading  from  the  Nar- 
rows along  the  coast,  and  by  the  way  of 
Gowan's  cove,  afforded  the  most  direct  route 
to  their  left;  and  their  right  might  either 
return  by  the  way  t)f  Flatbush,  and  unite  with 

1  General  ITotve'f>  letter. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  439 

the  center,  or  take  a  more  circuitous  course,  CHAP,  vn. 
and   enter   a   road   leading   from   Jamaica    to     1776. 
Bedford.     These  several  roads  unite  between 
Bedford  and  Brooklyn  a  small  distance  in  front 
of  the  American  lines. 

On  the  direct  road  fromFlatbush  toBrooklyn, 
and  very  near  the  former  place,  the  Americans 
had  constructed  in  the  hills,  a  strong  redoubt 
in  which  were  mounted  some  few  pieces  of 
artillery,  and  it  was  defended  by  a  body  of 
troops  deemed  sufficient  for  the  purpose.  The 
coast,  and  Bedford  roads  were  guarded  by 
detachments  posted  on  the  hills,  within  view 
of  the  British  camp,  which  were  relieved  daily, 
and  directions  had  been  given  to  throw  obstruc- 
tions in  the  way,  which  might  embarrass  the 
enemy  when  advancing.  The  convention  of 
New  York  had  ordered  general  Woodhull  with 
the  militia  of  Long  island  to  take  post  on  the 
high  grounds,  as  near  the  enemy  as  possible  ; 
but  he  was  yet  at  Jamaica,  and  seemed  scarcely 
to  suppose  himself  under  the  control  of  the 
regular  officer,  commanding  on  the  island. 
Light  parties  of  volunteers  were  directed  to 
patrol  on  the  road  from  Jamaica  to  Bedford, 
about  two  miles  from  which,  and  near  Flatbush, 
colonel  Miles  of  Pennsylvania  was  stationed 
with  a  regiment  of  riflemen. 

On  the  26th,  colonel  Lutz  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania militia,  commanded, on  the  coast  road; 
and  colonel  Williams  from  New  England,  on 


440  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vu.  the  road  from  Flatbush  to  Bedford.     Colonel 
1776.    Miles  with  his  regiment  of  riflemen,  still  re- 
mained on  the  ground  where  he  had  originally 
been  placed. 

About  nine  o'clock  at  night,  general  Clinton 
silently  drew  off  the  van  of  the  army,  consisting 
of  the  light-infantry,  grenadiers,  light-horse, 
reserve  under  lord  Cornwallis,  and  some  other 
corps,  with  fourteen  field-pieces,  fromFlatland, 
across  the  country,  through  that  part  which  iis 
called  the  New  Lotts,  in  order  to  seize  a  pass 
in  the  heights  about  three  miles  east  of  Bedford, 

on  the  Jamaica  road.     Arriving  entirely  imdis- 

'ul>' 27-  covered,  about  two  hours  before  daybreak, 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  pass,  he  halted  in 
order  to  make  his  dispositions  for  taking  pos- 
session of  it.  Here,  his  patrols  fell  in  with 
and  captured,  without  giving  any  alarm,  one 
of  the  American  parties,  which  had  been  sta- 
tioned on  this  road  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
notice  of  the  first  approach  of  the  enemy  in 
that  quarter.  Learning  from  his  prisoners  that 
the  pass  was  unoccupied,  general  Clinton  im- 
mediately seized  it ;  and  on  the  appearance  of 
day,  the  whole  column  passed  the  heights  and 
advanced  into  the  level  country  between  them 
and  Brooklyn.  They  were  immediately  fol- 
lowed by  another  column  under  lord  Percy."1 


m  General  Howe's  letter. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  44 1 

General  Grant  advanced  along  the  coast  at  CHAP.VH. 
the  head  of  the  left  wing  of  the  British  with     irre. 
ten  pieces  of  cannon.     As  his  first  object  was 
to  draw  the  attention  of  the  Americans  from 
their  left,  he  moved  slowly,  skirmishing  as  he 
advanced  with  the  light  parties  stationed   on 
that  road.n 

The  suspicions  of  general  Putnam  having 
been  very  much  directed  towards  the  route 
along  the  coast,  this  movement  of  general 
Grant  was  soon  discovered  and  communicated 
to  him.  It  having  been  determined  that  the 
passes  through  the  hills  were  to  be  very  seri- 
ously contested,  re-enforcements  were  imme- 
diately ordered  out  to  the  assistance  of  the 
parties  which  had  been  advanced  in  front ;  and, 
as  the  enemy  continued  to  gain  ground,  still 
stronger  detachments  were  employed  in  this 
service.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
brigadier  general  lord  Sterling  was  directed, 
with  the  two  nearest  regiments,  to  meet  the 
enemy  on  the  road  leading  from  the  Narrows. 
Major  general  Sullivan,  who  commanded  all 
the  troops  without  the  lines,  proceeded  with  a 
very  considerable  body  of  New  Englanders  on 
the  road  leading  directly  to  Flatbush,  and 
another  detachment  occupied  the  heights  be- 
tween that  place  and  Bedford. 

n  General  Howe's  letter. 
VOL.   II.  3  L 


442  THE  L1FE  OF 

CHAP. vii.  About  break  of  day,  lord  Sterling  reached 
1776.  the  summit  of  the  hills,  where  he  was  joined 
by  the  troops  which  had  been  already  engaged 
and  were  retiring  slowly  before  the  enemy, 
who  almost  immediately  appeared  in  sight. 
Having  posted  his  men  advantageously,  a  warm 
cannonade  was  commenced  on  both  sides, 
which  continued  for  several  hours  ;  and  some 
sharp,  but  not  very  close  skirmishing  took  place 
between  the  infantry.  Lord  Sterling  being 
only  anxious  to  defend  the  pass  he  guarded, 
could  not  descend  in  force  from  the  heights; 
and  general  Grant  did  not  wish  to  drive  him 
from  them,  until  that  part  of  the  plan  which 
had  been  intrusted  to  sir  Henry  Clinton,  should 
be  executed. 

Bank  of          In   the    centre,    general   De   Heister,    soon 

Brooklyn  and      _  .        -.     ,  , 

evacuation  of  after  daylight,  bearan  to  cannonade  the  troops 

Lor.;;  island. 

under  general  Sullivan ;  but  did  not  move  from 
his  ground  at  Flatbush,  until  the  British  right 
had  approached  the  left  and  rear  of  the  Ameri- 
can line.  In  the  mean  time,  in  order  the  more 
effectually  to  draw  their  attention  from  the 
point  where  the  grand  attack  was  intended,  the 
fleet  was  put  in  motion,  and  a  very  heavy  can- 
nonade commenced,  and  kept  up  on  the  battery 
at  Red  hook. 

About  half  past  eight  o'clock,  the  British 
right  having  then  reached  Bedford,  in  the  rear 
of  Sullivan's  left,  general  De  Heister  ordered 
colonel  Donop's  corps  to  advance  to  the  attack 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  443 

of  the  hill,  following  himself  with  the  centre  CHAP,  vn. 
of  the  army.  The  approach  of  Clinton  was  1776. 
now  discovered  by  the  American  left,  which 
immediately  endeavoured  to  regain  the  camp 
at  Brooklyn.  They  were  retiring  from  the 
woods  by  regiments,  with  their  cannon,  when 
they  encountered  the  front  of  the  British,  con- 
sisting of  the  light  infantry  and  light  dragoons, 
who  were  soon  supported  by  the  guards. 
About  the  same  time,  the  Hessians  advanced 
from  Flatbush,  against  that  part  of  the  de- 
tachment which  occupied  the  direct  road  to 
Brooklyn.0  Here  general  Sullivan  commanded 
in  person  ;  but  he  found  it  extremely  difficult 
to  keep  his  troops  together,  even  long  enough 
to  sustain  the  first  attack.  The  firing  heard 
towards  Bedford  had  disclosed  to  them  the 
alarming  fact,  that  the  British  had  turned  their 
left  flank,  and  wrere  getting  completely  into 
their  rear.  Perceiving  at  once  the  full  danger 
of  their  situation,  they  sought  to  escape  it  by 
regaining  the  camp  with  the  utmost  possible 
celerity.  The  sudden  route  of  this  party 
enabled  De  Heister  to  detach  a  part  of  his  force 
against  those  who  were  engaged  near  Bedford. 
In  that  quarter  too,  the  Americans  \vere  broken 
and  driven  back  into  the  woods,  and  the  front 
of  the  column  led  by  general  Clinton,  continu- 
ing to  move  forward,  intercepted  and  engaged 

0  General  Howe's  letter. 
3L  2 


444-  THE 

CHAP,  vii,  those  who  were  retreating  along  the  direct 
1776.  road  from  Flatbush.  Thus  attacked  both  in 
front  and  rear,  and  alternately  driven  by  the 
British  on  the  Hessians,  and  by  the  Hessians 
back  again  on  the  British,  a  succession  of 
skirmishes  took  place  in  the  woods,  in  the 
course  of  which,  some  parts  of  corps  forced 
their  way  through  the  enemy,  and  regained 
the  lines  of  Brooklyn,  and  several  individuals 
saved  themselves  under  cover  of  the  woods ; 
but  a  great  proportion  of  the  detachment  was 
killed  or  taken.  The  fugitives  were  pursued 
up  to  the  American  works,  and  such  is  repre- 
sented to  have  been  the  ardour  of  the  British 
soldiery,  that  it  required  the  authority  of  their 
cautious  commander  to  prevent  an  immediate 
attempt  to  carry  them  by  storm. 

The  fire  towards  Brooklyn  gave  the  first  in- 
timation to  the  American  right,  that  the  enemy 
had  gained  their  rear.  Lord  Sterling  perceived 
the  danger  with  which  he  was  threatened,  and 
that  he  could  only  escape  it  by  instantly  retreat- 
ing across  the  creek  in  his  rear,  near  the  Yel- 
low Mills  not  far  from  the  cove.  Orders  to 
this  effect  were  immediately  given,  and,  the 
more  effectually  to  secure  the  retreat  of  the 
main  body  of  the  detachment,  he  determined 
to  attack,  in  person,  a  corps  of  the  British 
under  lord  Cornwallis,  stationed  at  a  house 
somewhat  above  the  place  at  which  he  proposed 
crossing  the  creek.  About  four  hundred  men 
of  Smallwood's  regiment  were  drawn  out  for 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  445 

this  purpose,  and  the  attack  was  made  with  CHAP.  VH. 
great  spirit.  This  small  corps  was  brought  up  1776, 
several  times  to  the  charge,  and  lord  Sterling 
stated  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  dislodging 
lord  Cornwallis  from  his  post;  but  the  force  in 
his  front  increasing,  and  general  Grant  also 
advancing  on  his  rear,  the  brave  men  he  com- 
manded were  no  longer  able  to  oppose  the 
superior  numbers  which  assailed  them  on  every 
quarter,  and  those  wTho  survived  were,  with 
their  general,  made  prisoners  of  wrar.  This 
bold  and  well  judged  attempt,  however,  was 
not  without  its  advantages.  It  gave  an  oppor- 
tunity to  a  large  part  of  the  detachment,  to  save 
themselves  by  crossing  the  creek. 

The  loss  sustained  by  the  American  army 
on  this  occasion  was  very  considerable,  but 
could  not  be  accurately  ascertained  by  either 
party.  Numbers  were  supposed  to  have  been 
drowned  in  the  creek,  or  suffocated  in  the 
marsh,  whose  bodies  were  never  found ;  and 
exact  accounts  from  the  militia  are  seldom  to 
be  expected,  as  the  list  of  the  missing,  is 
always  swelled  by  those  who  return  to  their 
homes.  General  Washington  did  not  admit  it 
to  exceed  a  thousand  men,  but  in  this  estimate 
he  could  only  have  included  the  regular  troops. 
In  the  letter  written  by  general  Howe,  he  states 
the  prisoners  to  have  amounted  to  one  thousand 
and  ninety-seven,  among  whom  were  major 
general  Sullivan,  and  brigadiers  lord  Sterling, 


446  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vii.  and  Woodhull,  by  him  named  Udell.  He 
1776.  computes  the  loss  of  the  Americans  at  three 
thousand  three  hundred  men,  but  this  compu- 
tation is  probably  excessive.  He  supposes  too, 
that  the  troops  engaged  on  the  heights, 
amounted  to  ten  thousand ;  but  it  is  impossible 
they  could  have  much  exceeded  half  that  num- 
ber. The  loss  of  the  enemy  is  stated  by 
general  Howe  at  twenty-one  officers,  and  three 
hundred  and  forty-six  privates  killed,  wounded, 
and  taken. 

As  the  action  became  warm,  general  Wash- 
ington passed  over  to  the  camp  at  Brooklyn, 
where  he  saw  with  inexpressible  anguish  the 
destruction  in  which  his  best  troops  were  in- 
volved, and  from  which  it  was  impossible  to 
extricate  them.  Should  he  attempt  any  thing 
in  their  favour  with  the  men  remaining  within 
the  lines  of  Brooklyn,  it  was  probable  from  the 
superiority  of  the  enemy,  that  the  camp  itself 
would  be  lost,  and  that  whole  division  of  his 
army  destroyed.  Should  he  bring  over  the 
remaining  battalions  from  New  York,  he  would 
still  have  been  unequal  to  the  enemy,  and  his 
whole  army  with  perhaps  the  fate  of  his  coun- 
try might  be  staked  on  the  issue  of  a  single 
battle,  so  inauspiciously  commenced.  He  was 
therefore  compelled  to  behold  the  carnage  of 
his  troops,  without  being  able  to  assist  them, 
and  to  direct  all  his  efforts  to  the  preservation 
of  those  which  remained. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  447 

The  enemy  believing  the  Americans  to  be  CHAP.VH, 
much  stronger  than  they  were  in  reality,  and     irre. 
seeming  unwilling  to  commit  any  thing  to  ha- 
zard, fortunately  made  no  immediate  attempt 
to  force  the  lines.     They  encamped  in  front  of 
them,  and  on  the  twenty-eighth  at  night,  broke    j"i>  2 
ground  in  form,  within  six  hundred  yards  of  a 
redoubt  on  the  left. 

The  situation  of  the  army  on  Long  island 
had  now  become  extremely  critical.  In  front, 
was  a  victorious  enemy,  from  whom  much  was 
to  be  apprehended  in  case  of  assault,  but  whose 
numbers  and  formidable  train  of  artillery  ren- 
dered the  destruction  of  their  works,  by  regular 
approaches,  inevitable.  The  movements  of  the 
fleet  too,  indicated  an  intention  to  make  some 
attempt  on  New  York,  and,  so  soon  as  the  wind 
should  be  favourable,  to  force  a  passage  into 
the  East  river.  Should  they  succeed  in  this 
attempt,  and  .attack  him  by  water,  while  the 
army  might  assault  him  by  land,  they  would 
render  his  retreat  extremely  difficult,  if  not 
absolutely  impracticable.  The  troops  too  being 
obliged  to  lie  in  the  lines  without  shelter  from 
the  heavy  rains  which  fell,  were  excessively 
fatigued  and  dispirited.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, it  was  determined  to  withdraw  from 
Long  island,  and  this  difficult  movement  was 
effected  on  the  night  of  the  twenty -eighth,  with 
such  silence  and  dispatch,  that  all  the  troops 
and  military  stores,  with  the  greater  part  of  the 


448  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vii.  provisions,  and  all  the  artillery,  except  such 
1776.  heavy  pieces  as,  in  the  deep  roads  made  by  the 
excessive  heavy  rains  which  had  fallen,  could 
not  possibly  be  drawn,  were  carried  over  in 
safety.  Early  the  next  morning,  the  enemy 
perceived  the  rear  guard  crossing  the  East  river, 
out  of  reach  of  their  fire.  From  the  commence- 
ment of  the  action  on  the  morning  of  the 
twenty- seventh,  until  the  troops  had  crossed 
the  East  river  on  the  morning  of  the  twenty- 
ninth,  and  were  freed  from  the  immediate  perils 
to  which  their  situation  had  exposed  them ;  the 
exertions  and  fatigues  of  the  commander  in 
chief,  who  personally  inspected  almost  every 
thing,  were  incessant.  Throughout  that  time 
he  never  closed  his  eyes,  and  was  almost  con- 
stantly on  horseback. 

The  attempt  to  defend  Long  island  was  so 
disastrous  in  its  issue,  and  believed  to  have 
been  so  perilous  in  itself,  that  persons  were 
not  wanting  who  condemned  it;  and  it  is  yet 
represented  as  a  great  error  in  the  commander 
in  chief.  But  in  deciding  on  the  wisdom  of 
measures,  the  event  will  not  always  lead  to  a 
correct  judgment.  Before  a  just  opinion  can 
be  formed,  it  is  necessary  to  consider  the 
previous  state  of  things;  to  weigh  the  motives 
which  led  to  the  decision,  and  to  compare  the 
value  of  the  object  and  the  probability  of 
securing  it,  with  the  hazards  attending  the 
attempt. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  449 

The  importance  of  the  town  of  New  York,  CHAP.VIL 
and  of  Long  island,  to  either  party,  has  been  1776. 
already  stated,  and  was,  throughout  the  war, 
very  clearly  demonstrated.  It  was  extremely 
desirable  to  maintain  the  possession  of  them  if 
practicable,  or  if  that  could  not  be  done,  to 
consume  the  campaign  in  the  struggle  for  them. 
The  abandonment  of  Long  island,  besides 
giving  the  enemy  secure  and  immediate  pos- 
session of  an  extensive  and  fertile  country, 
would  certainly  very  much  facilitate  the  success 
of  their  attempt  upon  New  York.  It  was  there- 
fore  to  be  avoided,  if  possible. 

The  impossibility  of  avoiding  it  was  not 
evident,  until  the  battle  had  been  fought.  It 
was  true  that  the  American  force  on  the  island 
could  not  be  rendered  equal,  even  in  point  of 
numbers,  to  the  enemy ;  but  with  the  advantage 
of  the  defensible  country,  through  which  it  was 
necessary  to  pass,  and  of  a  fortified  camp  which 
could  only  be  attacked  on  one  side,  considerable 
hopes  might  be  entertained,  without  being  over 
sanguine,  of  at  least  maintaining  the  position 
for  a  considerable  time;  and  of  selling  it, 
ultimately,  at  a  high  price.  That  such  an 
opinion  was  not  ill  founded  seems  to  be  evi- 
denced by  the  cautious  movement  of  general 
Howe,  who,  even  after  the  victory  of  the 
27th,  was  not  disposed  to  attack  it  without 
the  co-operation  of  the  fleet,  but  chose  rather 
to  carry  it  by  regular  approaches.  Nor  would 

VOL.    II.  3  M 


450  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vii.  the  situation  of  the  troops  on  Long  island  have 
3776.  been  desperate,  even  in  the  event  of  a  conjoint 
attack  both  by  land  and  water,  before  their 
strength  and  spirits  were  broken  by  the  action 
of  the  twenty-seventh.  The  East  river  was 
guarded  by  very  strong  batteries  on  both  sides, 
and  the  entrance  into  it,  from  the  bay,  was 
defended  by  Governor's  island  which  was  for- 
tified, and  in  which  two  regiments  were  placed. 
The  ships  could  not  lie  in  that  river,  without 
first  silencing  those  batteries,  which  would  have 
been  found  extremely  difficult,  and  therefore 
their  aid  could  only  be  given,  when  a  storm  of 
the  works  should  be  intended;  and  when  that 
should  appear  practicable,  the  troops  might  be 
withdrawn  from  the  island. 

There  was  then,  certainly,  in  the  plan  of 
maintaining  Long  island,  considerable  hazard; 
but  not  so  much  as  to  demonstrate  the  propriety 
of  relinquishing  a  post  of  so  much  importance, 
without  a  struggle  to  preserve  it. 

With  much  more  appearance  of  reason,  the 
general  has  been  condemned  for  not  having 
guarded  the  road  which  leads  over  the  hills 
from  Jamaica  to  Bedford.  An  attention  to  this 
object  was  more  particularly  the  duty  of  the 
officer  commanding  at  the  post,  whose  general 
written  instructions,  given  two  days  previous 
to  the  action,  had  directed  that  the  woods 
should  be  well  guarded,  and  the  approach  of 
the  enemy  through  them  rendered  as  difficult 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

as  possible.  But  his  numbers  were  not  suffi-  CHAP.VH. 
cient  to  maintain  in  full  force,  detachments  177 6. 
which  should  guard  all  the  defiles  through  the 
mountains,  and  if  a  strong  corps  capable  of, 
and  intended  for,  serious  resistance,  had  been 
posted  on  this  road,  and  a  feint  had  been  made 
on  them,  while  a  serious  and  successful  effort 
had  been  made  to  pass  the  hills  by  the  direct 
road  from  Flatbush,  or  by  that  along  the  coast, 
the  defence  of  which  must  have  been  propor- 
tionably  weakened;  the  columns  marching 
directly  from  Flatbush,  must  on  every  reason- 
able calculation  have  been  in  possession  of  the 
plain  in  the  rear  of  the  detachment  posted  on 
the  road  from  Jamaica,  so  as  to  have  intercepted 
their  retreat  to  the  camp,  before  they  could 
have  made  it  good.  So  great  is  the  advantage 
of  those  who  attack,  in  being  able  to  choose 
the  point  against  which  to  direct  their  main 
efforts;  while  those  who  are  to  defend,  if  not 
sufficiently  strong  to  guard  all  posts  alike,  must 
leave  some  not  completely  secured,  that  the 
best  skilled  in  the  art  of  war  find  much  diffi- 
culty in  maintaining  an  extensive  line  accessible 
in  many  points. 

The  most  advisable  plan  then  appears  to  have 
been,  so  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy 
as,  if  possible,  to  be  master  of  his  designs, 
to  oppose  with  a  competent  force  every  attempt 
to  seize  the  heights,  and  to  guard  all  the 
passes  in  such  a  manner  as  to  receive  notice  of 
3  M  2 


452  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. vii.  the  approach  through  any  one  of  them  in  sufR- 
1775.    cient  time  to  recall  the  troops  maintaining  the 
others. 

This  plan  was  adopted;  and  the  heavy  dis- 
asters of  the  day  are,  principally,  attributable  to 
the  failure  of  those  charged  with  the  execution 
of  that  very  important  part  of  it,  respecting  the 
intelligence  from  the  Jamaica  road.  The  letter 
of  general  Howe  states  that  an  American  patro- 
ling  party  was  taken  on  this  road ;  and  general 
Washington,  in  a  private  and  confidential  com- 
munication to  a  friend,  says,  "  this  misfortune 
happened,  in  a  great  measure,  by  two  detach- 
ments of  our  people  who  were  posted  in  two 
roads  leading  through  a  wood,  to  intercept  the 
enemy  in  their  march,  suffering  a  surprise,  and 
making  a  precipitate  retreat." 

The  events  of  this  day,  too,  exhibited  a 
practical  demonstration  of  a  radical  defect  in 
the  construction  of  the  army.  There  was  not 
in  it  a  single  corps  of  cavalry.  That  false 
economy  which  miscalculates  so  much  as  to 
deny  the  means  essential  to  the  end,  had  not 
yet  sufficiently  relaxed  to  admit  of  so  expensive 
an  establishment.  Had  the  general  been  fur- 
nished with  a  few  troops  of  light-horse,  to  serve 
merely  as  videts  to  watch  the  motions  of  the 
enemy,  and  bring  intelligence  expeditiously, 
it  is  probable  that  the  movement  so  decisive  of 
the  fate  of  the  day,  could  not  have  been  made 
unnoticed.  The  troops  on  the  lines  do  not 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  453 

appear  to  have  observed  the  column  which  was  CHAP,  vu. 
withdrawn  on  the  evening  of  the  twenty- sixth  irre. 
from  Flatbush  to  Flatland.  Had  this  important 
manoeuvre  been  communicated,  it  would  most 
probably  have  turned  the  attention  of  general 
Putnam  more  particularly  to  the  Jamaica  road, 
It  is  to  the  want  of  videts  that  a  failure  to 
obtain  this  important  intelligence  is  to  be 
ascribed.  The  necessity  too  of  changing  the 
officer  originally  intrusted  with  the  command, 
was  an  unfortunate  circumstance  which  very 
probably  contributed  to  the  event  which  hap- 
pened. 

Whatever  causes  might  have  led  to  this 
defeat,  it  gave  a  very  gloomy  aspect  to  the 
affairs  of  America.  Heretofore,  their  arms  had 
been  frequently  successful,  and  their  soldiers 
had  always  manifested  a  great  degree  of  intre- 
pidity. A  confidence  in  themselves,  a  persua- 
sion of  their  superiority  over  the  enemy  arising 
from  the  goodness  of  their  cause,  and  their 
early  and  habitual  use  of  fire  arms,  had  been 
carefully  inculcated;  and  had  been  nourished 
by  all  their  experience  preceding  this  event. 
When  they  found  themselves,  by  a  course  of 
evolutions  in  which  they  imagined  they  per- 
ceived a  great  superiority  of  military  skill, 
encircled  with  unexpected  dangers,  from  which 
no  exertions  could  extricate  them;  their  con- 
fidence in  themselves,  and  in  their  leaders,  was 
greatly  diminished;  and  the  approach  of  the 


454  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vii.  enemy  inspired  the  apprehension  that  some 
1776.  stratagem  was  concealed,  from  which  imme- 
diate flight  could  alone  preserve  them. 

To  this  course  of  thought,  which  raw  troops, 
when  defeated,  so  readily  take  up,  the  Amer- 
ican army  was,  from  the  materials  which  com- 
posed it,  particularly  exposed.  The  regulars 
themselves,  if  they  might  be  so  termed,  were 
inlisted,  many  of  them,  but  for  one  year;  and 
a  very  considerable  part  of  the  existing  force, 
had  been  called  into  service,  but  for  a  few 
weeks.  They  knew  that  by  parrying  the  dan- 
ger of  the  moment,  they  would  return  in  safety 
to  their  families,  and  throw  at  least  for  a  time, 
the  hazards  of  war  on  others.  Only  a  degree 
of  personal  courage  superior  to  what  is  pos- 
sessed by  the  great  mass  of  mankind,  or  a 
degree  of  enthusiasm  seldom  of  long  and  uni- 
versal duration,  will  induce  troops,  under  such 
circumstances,  to  support  with  such  patient 
suffering,  the  hardships  of  an  active  campaign; 
and  to  exhibit  such  uniform,  steady,  and  per- 
severing fortitude,  in  posts  of  danger;  that  the 
confidence  of  their  general,  and  their  country, 
may  be  safely  reposed  in  them. 

The  state  of  the  army  after  this  event  was, 
in  a  letter  from  general  Washington  to  congress, 
thus  feelingly  described ;  "  our  situation  is 
truly  distressing.  The  check  our  detachment 
sustained  on  the  twenty- seventh  ultimo,  has 
dispirited  too  great  a  proportion  of  our  troops, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  455 

and  filled  their  minds  with  apprehension  and  CHAP.VIL 
despair.  The  militia,  instead  of  calling  forth  irre. 
their  utmost  efforts  to  a  brave  and  manly  oppo- 
sition, in  order  to  repair  our  losses,  are  dis- 
mayed, intractable,  and  impatient  to  return. 
Great  numbers  of  them  have  gone  off,  in  some 
instance's,  almost  by  whole  regiments,  in  many, 
by  half  ones,  and  by  companies  at  a  time. 
This  circumstance  of  itself,  independent  of 
others, when  fronted  by  a  well  appointed  enemy, 
superior  in  number  to  our  whole  collected 
force,  would  be  sufficiently  disagreeable:  but 
when  it  is  added  that  their  example  has  infected 
another  part  of  the  army;  that  their  want  of 
discipline,  and  refusal  of  almost  every  kind  of 
restraint  and  government,  have  rendered  a  like 
conduct  but  too  common  in  the  whole;  and 
have  produced  an  entire  disregard  of  that  order 
and  subordination  necessary  for  the  well  doing 
of  an  army,  and  which  had  been  before  incul- 
cated as  well  as  the  nature  of  our  military 
establishment  would  admit;  our  condition  is 
still  more  alarming,  and  with  the  deepest  con- 
cern I  am  obliged  to  confess  my  want  of  con- 
fidence in  the  generality  of  the  troops. 

"  All  these  circumstances  fully  confirm  the 
opinion  I  ever  entertained,  and  which  I,  more 
than  once,  in  my  letters,  took  the  liberty  of 
mentioning  to  congress;  that  no  dependence 
could  be  put  in  a  militia,  or  other  troops  than 
those  inlisted  and  embodied  for  a  longer  period 


456  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vn.  than  our  regulations  have  hitherto  prescribed. 
1776.  I  am  persuaded,  and  am  as  fully  convinced  as 
of  any  one  fact  that  has  happened,  that  our  li- 
berties must,  of  necessity,  be  greatly  hazarded, 
if  not  entirely  lost,  if  their  defence  be  left  to 
any  but  a  permanent  army. 

"  Nor  would  the  expense  incident  to  the 
support  of  such  a  body  of  troops,  as  would  be 
competent  to  every  exigency,  far  exceed  that 
which  is  incurred  by  calling  in  daily  succours, 
and  new  inlistments,  which  when  effected,  are 
not  attended  with  any  good  consequences. 
Men  who  have  been  free,  and  subject  to  no  con- 
trol, cannot  be  reduced  to  order  in  an  instant; 
and  the  privileges  and  exemptions  they  claim, 
and  will  have,  influence  the  conduct  of  others 
in  such  a  manner,  that  the  aid  derived  from, 
them  is  nearly  counterbalanced  by  the  disorder, 
irregularity  and  confusion  they  occasion." 

The  frequent  remonstrances  of  the  comman- 
der in  chief,  the  opinions  of  all  military  men, 
the  severe  correcting  hand  of  experience,  had, 
at  length,  produced  their  effect  on  congress; 
and  soon  after  the  defeat  on  Long  island,  it  had 
been  referred  to  the  committee  composing  the 
board  of  war,  to  prepare  a  plan  of  operations 
for  the  next  succeeding  campaign.  Their  report, 
which  was  adopted  by  congress,  proposed  a 
permanent  army  to  be  inlisted  for  the  war,  and 
to  be  composed  of  eighty-eight  battalions,  to 
be  raised  bv  the  several  states  in  proportion  to 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  457 

their  ability.*     As   inducements   to   inlist,  a  CHAP.VH. 
bounty   of  twenty   dollars   was   allowed,    and    1776. 
small   portions  of  vacant   lands   promised   to 
every  officer  and  soldier,  f 

Had  this  system  been  adopted  in  1775,  the 
war  would  probably  have  been  of  much  shorter 
duration ;  but  much  is  to  be  allowed  for  the 
want  of  military  experience  in  congress,  for 
prejudices  which  prevailed  throughout  Ame- 
rica, and  very  much  for  the  organization  of 
the  government,  which,  while  the  essentials  of 
power  were  parcelled  out  among  the  several 
local  legislatures,  placed  in  that  of  the  union 
little  more  than  the  right  to  recommend;  a 
right  to  be  exercised  with  great  caution ;  be- 

*  New  Hampshire 3     Maryland 8 

Massachusetts 1 5     Virginia 1 5 

Rhode  Island 2     North  Carolina 9 

Connecticut 8     South  Carolina .....6 

New  York 4     Georgia 1 

New  Jersey 4 

Pennsylvania 12  88 

Delaware 1 

t  To  a  colonel 500  acres. 

Lieutenant  colonel 450 

Major 400 

Captain 300 

Lieutenant 200 

Ensign 150 

And  a  non-commissioned  officer  or  private. ..100 
The  resolution  was  afterwards  changed  so  as  to  give  the 
option  to  inlist  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war.     Those 
inlisting  for  three  years  not  to  be  entitled  to  land. 
VOL.  II.  3  N 


458  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vn.  cause  measures  manifesting  an  expectation 
1776.  that  the  war  might  be  of  long  continuance,  or 
which  might  excite  a  suspicion  of  aiming  at 
independence,  or  of  an  indisposition  to  a  re- 
establishment  of  the  ancient  connexion  between 
Great  Britain  and  America,  might,  in  the  early 
stage  of  the  contest,  have  produced  very  seri- 
ous consequences  in  some  parts  of  the  union. 

The  first  use  made  by  lord  Howe  of  the  vic- 
tory of  the  27th  of  August,  was  to  avail  himself 

Fruitless      of  the    impression  it  had  probably  made  on 

negotiations.  .  ... 

congress,  by  opening  a  negotiation  in  confor- 
mity with  his  powers  as  a  commissioner.  For 
this  purpose,  general  Sullivan  was  sent  on 
parole  to  Philadelphia,  with  a  verbal  message, 
the  import  of  which,  when  reduced  to  writing, 
was,  that  though  he  could  not  at  present  treat 
with  congress  as  a  political  body  ;  yet  he  was 
very  desirous  of  having  a  conference  writh 
some  of  their  members,  whom  he  would  consi- 
der, for  the  present,  only  as  private  gentlemen, 
and  meet  them  as  such  at  any  place  they  would 
appoint. 

That  he,  in  conjunction  with  general  Howe, 
has  full  powers  to  compromise  the  dispute 
between  Great  Britain  and  America,  on  terms 
advantageous  to  both;  the  obtaining  of  which, 
delayed  him  near  two  months  in  England,  and 
prevented  his  arrival  at  New  York  before  the 
declaration  of  independence  took  place. 

That  he  wished  a  compact  might  be  settled 
at  this  time,  when  no  decisive  blow  was  struck, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  459 

and  neither  party  could  allege  being  compelled  CHAP,  vu. 
to  enter  into  such  agreement.  1776. 

That  in  case  congress  were  disposed  to  treat, 
many  things  which  they  had  not  as  yet  asked, 
might,  and  ought  to  be  granted  them ;  and  that 
if,  upon  the  conference,  they  found  any  pro- 
bable ground  of  an  accommodation,  the  authority 
of  congress  must  be  afterwards  acknowledged, 
otherwise  the  compact  would  not  be  complete. 

This  proposition  of  lord  Howe  was  not  with- 
out its  embarrassments.  To  reject  it  altogether 
would  be  to  give  some  countenance  to  the 
opinion  that,  if  independence  was  waved,  a 
restoration  of  the  ancient  connexions  between 
the  two  countries,  on  principles  formerly 
deemed  constitutional,  was  still  practicable ; 
an  opinion  believed  by  congress  not  to  be  well 
founded,  but  which  would  have  an  unfavourable 
effect  on  the  public  sentiment,  and  which, 
therefore,  it  was  useful  to  explode.  On  the 
other  hand,  to  enter  into  a  negotiation  under 
such  circumstances,  might  excite  a  suspicion 
that  their  determination  to  maintain  the  inde- 
pendence they  had  declared,  was  not  im- 
movable, and  that  things  were  in  such  a 
situation  as  to  admit  of  some  relaxation  in  the 
measures  necessary  for  the  defence  of  the 
country. 

The   answer    given  to  lord  Howe  through 
general  Sullivan  was  "  that  congress  being  the 
representatives   of  the   free    and    independent 
3  N  2 


460  THE  LIFE  OF 

fcHAp.  vii.  states  of  America,  cannot  with  propriety  send 
1776.  any  of  its  members  to  confer  with  his  lordship 
in  their  private  characters  ;  but  that  ever  desi- 
rous of  establishing  peace  on  reasonable  terms, 
they  will  send  a  committee  of  their  body  to 
know  whether  he  has  any  authority  to  treat 
with  persons  authorized  by  congress  for  that 
purpose  on  behalf  of  America ;  and  what  that 
authority  is,  and  to  hear  such  propositions  as 
he  shall  think  proper  to  make  respecting  the 
same." 

The  president  was,  at  the  same  time,  directed 
to  give  to  general  Washington  the  opinion  of 
congress,  that  no  propositions  for  making  peace 
"ought  to  be  received  or  attended  to,  unless  the 
same  be  made  in  writing  and  addressed  to  the 
representatives  of  the  United  States  in  congress, 
or  persons  authorized  by  them.  And  if  applica- 
tion be  made  to  him  by  any  of  the  commanders 
of  the  British  forces  on  that  subject,  that  he 
inform  them,  that  these  United  States  who  en- 
tered into  the  war  only  for  the  defence  of  their 
lives  and  liberties,  will  cheerfully  agree  to 
peace  on  reasonable  terms  whenever  such  shall 
be  proposed  to  them  in  manner  aforesaid." 

It  is  worthy  of  remark  that,  in  these  resolu- 
tions, congress  preserve  the  appearance  of 
insisting  on  the  independence  of  the  United 
States,  without  declaring  it  to  be  the  indispen- 
sable condition  of  peace. 

Mr.  Franklin,  mr.  John  Adams,  and  mr. 
Edward  Rutledge,  all  zealous  advocates  for 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

independence,  were  appointed,  in  conformity 
with  the  resolution,  to  receive  the  communi-     irre. 
cations  of  lord  Howe. 

They  waited  on  his  lordship,  and  on  their 
return  reported,  "  that  he  had  received  them 
on  the  llth  of  September  on  Staten  island  op- 
posite to  Amboy,  with  great  politeness. 

He  opened  the  conversation  by  acquainting 
them,  that  though  he  could  not  treat  with  them 
as  a  committee  of  congress,  yet,  as  his  powers 
enabled  him  to  confer  and  consult  with  any 
private  gentlemen  of  influence  in  the  colonies, 
on  the  means  of  restoring  peace  between  the 
two  countries,  he  was  glad  of  this  opportunity 
of  conferring  with  them  on  that  subject,  if  they 
thought  themselves  at  liberty  to  enter  into  a 
conference  wuth  him  in  that  character.  The 
committee  observed  to  his  lordship,  that,  as 
their  business  was  to  hear,  he  might  consider 
them  in  what  light  he  pleased,  and  communi- 
cate to  them  any  propositions  he  might  be 
authorized  to  make  for  the  purpose  mentioned; 
but,  that  they  could  consider  themselves  in  no 
other  character  than  that  in  which  they  were 
placed  by  order  of  congress.  His  lordship 
then  entered  into  a  discourse  of  considerable 
length,  which  contained  no  explicit  proposition 
of  peace,  except  one,  namely;  that  the  colo- 
nies should  return  to  their  allegiance  and 
obedience  to  the  government  of  Great  Britain. 
The  rest  consisted  principally  of  assurances, 


462  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  VIT.  that  there  was  an  exceeding  good  disposition  in 
1776.  the  king  and  his  ministers  to  make  that  govern- 
ment easy  to  them,  with  intimations,  that,  in 
case  of  submission,  they  would  cause  the 
offensive  acts  of  parliament  to  be  revised,  and 
the  instructions  to  governors  to  be  reconsi- 
dered ;  that  so,  if  any  just  causes  of  complaint 
were  found  in  the  acts,  or  any  errors  in  govern- 
ment were  perceived  to  have  crept  into  the 
instructions,  they  might  be  amended  or  with- 
drawn. 

The  committee  gave  it  as  their  opinion  to 
his  lordship,  that  a  return  to  the  domination  oi" 
Great  Britain  was  not  now  to  be  expected. 
They  mentioned  the  repeated  humble  petitions 
of  the  colonies  to  the  king  and  parliament, 
which  had  been  treated  with  contempt  and 
answered  only  by  additional  injuries ;  the 
unexampled  patience  which  had  been  shown 
under  their  tyrannical  government;  and  that  it 
was  not  until  the  late  act  of  parliament  which 
denounced  war  against  them,  and  put  them 
out  of  the  king's  protection,  that  they  declared 
their  independence ;  that  this  declaration  had 
been  called  for  by  the  people  of  the  colonies  in 
general ;  and  that  every  colony  had  approved 
of  it  when  made,  and  all  novV  considered  them- 
selves as  independent  states,  and  were  settling, 
or  had  settled  their  governments  accordingly ; 
so  that  it  was  not  in  the  power  of  congress  to 
agree  for  them  that  they  should  return  to  their 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  453 

former  dependant  state ;  that  there  was  no  CHAP.VH. 
doubt  of  their  inclination  to  peace,  and  their  irre. 
willingness  to  enter  into  a  treaty  with  Britain, 
that  might  be  advantageous  to  both  countries  : 
that  though  his  lordship  had  at  present  no 
power  to  treat  with  them  as  independent  states, 
he  might,  if  there  was  the  same  good  disposi- 
tion in  Britain,  much  sooner  obtain  fresh 
powers  from  thence,  for  that  purpose,  than 
powers  could  be  obtained  by  congress,  from 
the  several  colonies,  to  consent  to  a  submis- 
sion. 

His  lordship  then  saying,  that  he  was  sorry 
to  find,  that  no  accommodation  was  like  to  take 
place,  put  an  end  to  the  conference. 

These  fruitless  negotiations  produced  no 
suspension  of  hostilities. 

The  clay  after  the  troops  had  been  withdrawn 
from  Long  island,  Governor's  island  was  also 
evacuated.  This  place  derived  its  principal 
importance  from  being  auxiliary  to  the  defence 
of  the  position  at  Brooklyn,  and  to  the  com- 
munication between  that  camp  and  New  York. 
It  was  also,  of  very  considerable  consequence 
in  the  event  of  a  direct  attack  on  the  town,  as 
it,  in  a  great  measure,  commands  the  harbour. 
But  the  position  was  too  hazardous  to  attempt 
its  preservation  after  the  evacuation  of  Long 
island ;  and  it  was  the  less  to  be  desired,  as 
the  general  began  to  entertain  very  serious 
fears  of  being  unable  longer  to  defend  New 


464  THE  LIFE  OF 

r HAP.  VTI.  York  itself.  His  whole  force,  consisting  chiefly 
1776.  of  militia,  did  not  exceed  twenty-five  thousand 
men,  one  fourth  of  whom  were  sick  and  unfit 
for  duty.  This  army,  which  was,  on  ordinary 
calculation,  unequal  to  the  defence  of  a  single 
point,  if  attacked  by  the  disciplined  columns 
which  followed  the  British  standard,  was  ren- 
dered still  less  capable  of  maintaining  the  place, 
from  the  great  extent  of  ground  it  was  neces- 
sary to  guard,  and  the  numerous  posts  into 
which  it  was  unavoidably  distributed.  With 
infinite  chagrin,  the  general  communicated  his 
fears  on  this  subject  to  congress... fears  founded 
on  a  belief,  that  the  troops  would  not  do  their 
duty;  and  requested  their  instructions  respect- 
ing the  fate  of  the  city,  in  the  event  of  his  being 
compelled  to  evacuate  it.  In  their  resolution 
on  this  subject,  they  very  wisely  determined 
that  no  mischief ,  should  be  done  to  the  town, 
as  they  had  no  doubt  of  recovering  it,  though 
they  might  for  a  time  lose  the  possession  of  it. 

The  British  army,  now  in  perfect  possession 
of  Long  island,  was  posted  at  Bedford,  Bush- 
wic,  Newtown,  Flushing,  and  Hellgate;  and 
thus,  fronted  and  threatened  York  island  from 
its  extreme  southern  point  to  the  part  opposite 
the  northern  boundary  of  Long  island,  a  small 
distance  below  the  heights  of  Haerlem  :  com- 
prehending a  space  of  about  nine  miles. 

The  two  armies  were  divided  only  by  the 
East  river,  which  is  about  thirteen  hundred 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  455 

yards  across,  and  on  both  sides  of  which  bat-  CHAP,  vu. 
teries  were  erected,  which  kept  up  an  incessant     1776. 
cannonade  on  each  other. 

Immediately  after  the  victory  at  Brooklyn, 
dispositions  were  made  to  attack  New  York. 

A  part  of  the  fleet  sailed  round  Long  island, 

and  appeared  in  the  Sound,  a  large  bay  which  ^p*- 4- 
separates  that  island  from  Connecticut,  and 
which  is  connected  with  the  East  river  by  a 
narrow  channel  called  Hellgate.  Two  frigates 
passed  between  Governor's  island  and  Red 
hook,  up  the  East  river,  without  receiving 
any  injury  from  the  batteries,  and  were  shel- 
tered behind  a  small  island  from  the  American 
artillery ;  while  the  admiral,  with  the  main 
body  of  the  fleet,  lay  at  anchor  close  in  with 
Governor's  island,  ready  to  pass  up  either  the 
North,  or  East  river,  or  both,  and  act  against 
any  part  of  York  island. 

These  movements,  especially  the  appearance 
of  part  of  the  fleet  with  some  transports  in  the 
Sound,  and  the  encampment  towards  the  north 
of  Long  island,  indicated  a  disposition,  not  to 
make  an  attack  directly  on  New  York,  as  had 
been  expected,  but  to  land  somewhere  about 
King's  bridge,  take  a  position  which  cut  off 
the  communication  of  the  American  army  with 
the  country,  and  thereby  force  them  to  a  battle, 
which,  if  unfortunate  in  its  issue,  as  there 
was  much  reason  to  believe  it  must  be,  would 
infallibly  destroy  them. 

VOL.   II.  3  O 


466  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP. vii.  Aware  of  this  danger,  general  Washington 
V1776.  set  about  removing  above  King's  bridge  such 
stores  as  were  not  immediately  necessary  ;  and 
determined  to  call  a  council  of  general  officers 
for  the  purpose  of  deciding,  whether  the  place 
should  be  evacuated  without  delay,  or  longer 
defended. 

In  his  letter  communicating  to  congress  the 
result  of  this  council,  which  was  against  an 
immediate  evacuation,  he  appears  strongly 
convinced  of  the  necessity  of  abandoning  the 
city,  though  he  yields  to  that  necessity  with 
infinite  reluctance.  Speaking  of  the  enemy, 
he  observed,  "it  is  now  extremely  obvious 
from  their  movements,  from  our  intelligence, 
and  from  every  other  circumstance,  that,  having 
their  whole  army  upon  Long  island,  except 
about  four  thousand  men  who  remain  on  Staten 
island,  they  mean  to  enclose  us  in  this  island 
by  taking  post  in  our  rear,  while  their  ships 
effectually  secure  the  front;  and  thus,  by  cut- 
ting off  our  communication  with  the  country, 
oblige  us  to  fight  them  on  their  own  terms,  or 
surrender  at  discretion  ;  or,  if  that  shall  be 
deemed  more  advisable,  by  a  brilliant  stroke 
endeavour  to  cut  this  army  to  pieces,  and 
secure  the  possession  of  arms  and  stores  which 
they  well  know  our  inability  to  replace. 

"  Having  their  system  unfolded  to  us,  it 
becomes  an  important  consideration  how  it 
could  be  most  successfully  opposed.  On 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  467 

every  side  there  is  a  choice  of  difficulties,  and  CHAP.VH. 
experience  teaches  us,  that  every  measure  on     1776. 
our  part  (however  painful  the  reflection)  must 
be  taken  with  some  apprehension,  that  all  the 
troops  will  not  do  their  duty. 

"  In  deliberating  upon  this  great  question," 
he  added,  "  it  was  impossible  to  forget  that, 
history,  our  own  experience,  the  advice  of  our 
ablest  friends  in  Europe,  the  fears  of  the  enemy, 
and  even  the  declarations  of  congress,  demon- 
strate that,  on  our  side,  the  war  should  be 
defensive — (it  has  ever  been  called  a  war  of 
posts :).... that  we  should,  on  all  occasions, 
avoid  a  general  action,  nor  put  any  thing  to  the 
risk,  unless  compelled  by  necessity  into  which 
we  ought  never  to  be  drawn." 

After  communicating  the  decision  which  had 
been  made  by  the  council  of  officers,  the  gene- 
ral states,  with  such  force,  the  opinion  of  those 
who  were  in  favour  of  immediately  evacuating 
the  town,  as  to  confirm  the  belief  that  it  re- 
mained his  own.  "  There  were  some  generals," 
he  observed,  "  in  whose  judgments  great  con- 
fidence is  to  be  reposed,  that  were  for  an  im- 
mediate removal  from  the  city.  They  urge 
the  great  danger  that  one  part  of  the  army  may 
be  cut  off  before  it  can  be  supported  by  the 
other,  the  extremities  being  sixteen  miles 
apart;  that  we  are,  when  collected,  inferior  to 
the  enemy;  that  they  can  move  with  their 
whole  force  to  any  point  of  attack,  and,  con- 
3  o  2 


468  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vii.  sequently,  if  opposed  by  only  a  part  of  ours, 
1776.  must  succeed  by  weight  of  numbers;  that  by 
moving  from  hence,  we  deprive  the  enemy  of 
the  advantage  of  their  ships,  which  would  con- 
stitute one  half  their  force  in  an  attack  on  the 
town ;  that  we  may  keep  them  at  bay,  put  no- 
thing to  the  hazard,  and,  in  any  event,  keep 
an  army  together  which  may  be  recruited  for 
another  year;  that  the  unspent  stores  will  also 
be  preserved,  and  the  heavy  artillery  secured." 
The  majority,  who  overruled  this  opinion, 
did  not  expect  to  be  able  to  defend  the  city 
entirely,  but  to  protract  the  time  of  losing  it; 
and  thereby  waste  so  much  of  the  campaign 
before  the  enemy  should  obtain  possession  of 
it,  as  would  prevent  their  undertaking  any 
thing  further  this  year.  They  therefore  advised 
a  middle  course ;  between  abandoning  the  town 
absolutely,  and  concentrating  their  whole 
strength  for  its  defence.  By  the  plan  recom- 
mended, the  army  was  to  be  arranged  into  three 
divisions,  one  of  which,  consisting  of  five  thou- 
sand men,  was  to  remain  in  New  York.  The 
second,  amounting  to  nine  thousand,  was  to  be 
stationed  at  King's  bridge,  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  that  post,  and  its  dependencies.  The 
residue  of  the  army  was  to  occupy  the  inter- 
mediate space,  so  as  to  support  either  extreme; 
and  the  sick  were  to  be  immediately  removed 
to  Orange  town.  A  belief  that  congress  was 
unwilling  to  give  up  New  York,  and  rather 
inclined  to  maintain  it  at  every  hazard ;  as  well 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  459 

as  a  dread  of  the  unfavourable  impression  which  CHAP,  vu. 
retreating  before  the  enemy,  and  thus  confes-     1776. 
sing   their   superiority,    might   make   on   the 
people  at  large,  seem  to  have  had  great  influ- 
ence in  producing  the  determination  to  defend 

the  place  yet  a  short  time  longer.  

This  opinion,  however,  was  soon  changed,  sq*- ">• 
The  officers  became  more  and  more  alarmed  at 
the  danger  resulting  from  the  division  of  the 
troops;  in  addition  to  which,  the  movements 
of  the  enemy  seemed  clearly  to  indicate  an 
intention  either  to  break  their  line  of  commu- 
nication, or  to  enclose  the  whole  army  in  York 
island.  Their  dispositions  were,  alike  calcu- 
lated to  favour  the  one,  or  the  other  of  these 
objects.  They  threw  considerable  detachments 
into  Montresor's  and  Buchanan's  islands,  which 
lie  in  the  mouth  of  Haerlem  river,  from  whence 
it  was  easy  either  to  pass  over  to  the  low 
grounds  of  Morrisania  on  the  continent,  and 
seize  the  passes  above  King's  bridge ;  or  cross 
the  East  river  to  the  plains  of  Haerlem,  and  cut 
off,  or  render  extremely  hazardous,  the  com- 
munication between  the  different  posts  of  the 
American  army.  Confident  that  the  evacuation 
must  take  place,  the  general  continued  to  em- 
ploy himself  assiduously  in  the  removal  of  the 
military  stores  to  a  place  of  safety.*  . 

*  He  had,  on  the  first  appearance  of  the  enemy  in  force 
before  New  York,  strongly  urged  the  removal  of  the  wo- 
men and  children,  with  their  most  valuable  effects,  to  a 
place  of  safety. 


470  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vn.  Several  of  the  officers  having  avowed  a  change 
1776.  in  their  opinions  respecting  any  further  attempt 
to  maintain  the  town,  another  council  was  called, 
sept.  12.  in  which  it  was  determined,  by  a  large  majority, 
that  it  had  become,  not  only  prudent,  but  ab- 
solutely necessary,  to  withdraw  the  army  from 
New  York. 

Brigadier  general  Mercer,  who  commanded 
the  flying  camp  on  the  Jersey  shore,  was,  in 
consequence  of  this  determination,  directed  to 
move  up  the  North  river,  to  the  post  opposite 
fort  Washington,  and  every  effort  was  used  to 
expedite  the  removal  of  the  stores ;  a  work 
which,  it  was  feared,  would  soon  be  interrupted, 
as  an  attack  was  daily  apprehended,  which,  if 
not  repelled,  would  certainly  be  attended  with 
the  loss  of  those  remaining  at  the  time  in  the 
town. 

Several  other  ships  of  war  passed  up  the 


Fourteenth.  East  river,  and  took  different  stations  above 
the  city,  so  as  to  create  a  doubt  whether  their 
object  was  to  assist  in  silencing  a  battery  at 
Horen's  hook,  which  very  much  interrupted 
the  navigation  of  the  Sound,  or  to  favour  a 
landing  on  York  island.  Soon  afterwards, 
several  movements  were  made  with  large  bodies 
of  troops,  towards  the  Sound  and  East  river, 
who  began  to  embark,  as  if  cither  for  Montre- 
sor's  island,  or  Morrisania.  On  receiving 
intelligence  of  these  operations,  general  Wash- 
ington  immediately  proceeded  to  the  camp  at 
Haerlem;  on  which  place,  or  on  the  troops  at 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  471 

Morrisania,  it  was  conjectured  the  attack  would  CHA»  vn. 
be  made.  1776. 

The  next  morning,  three  ships  of  war  pro- 
ceeded up  the  North  river  as  high  as  Blooming- 
dale,  a  movement  which  entirely  stopped  the 
further  removal  of  stores  by  water;  and,  about 
eleven  o'clock,  sir  Henry  Clinton,  at  the  head 
of  a  division  of  four  thousand  men,  who  had 
embarked  at  the  head  of  Newtown  bay,  which 
making  deep  into  Long  island,  was  out  of  the 
view  of  the  American  troops,  proceeded  through 
that  bay,  into  the  East  river,  which  he  crossed, 
and  landed,  under  cover  of  the  fire  of  five  men 
of  war,  at  a  place  called  Kipp's  bay  about  three 
miles  above  New  York. 

The  works  thrown  up  to  oppose  the  landing 
of  the  enemy,  at  this  place,  were  of  consider- 
able strength,  and  capable  of  being  defended 
for  some  time;  but  the  troops  stationed  in 
them,  terrified  at  the  fire  of  the  ships,  aban- 
doned them  without  waiting  for  the  approach  of 
the  enemy,  and  fled  with  precipitation  towards 
their  main  body.  So  soon  as  the  cannonade 
had  commenced,  the  brigades  commanded  by 
generals  Parsons  and  Fellows,  were  put  in 
motion,  and  marched  to  the  support  of  those 
posted  in  the  lines;  and  general  Washington 
himself  rode  towards  the  scene  of  action.  The 
panic  of  those  who  had  fled  from  the  works 
was  communicated  to  the  troops  ordered  to 
sustain  them,  and  the  commander  in  chief  had 


472  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vii.  the  extreme  mortification  to  meet  the  whole 
1776.  party  retreating  in  the  utmost  disorder,  totally 
regardless  of  the  great  efforts  made  by  their 
generals  to  stop  their  disgraceful  flight.  Whilst 
general  Washington  was  exerting  himself  to 
rally  them,  a  small  corps  of  the  enemy  appeared, 
and  they  again  broke  and  fled  in  the  utmost 
confusion.  It  now  only  remained  immediately 
to  withdraw  the  few  remaining  troops  from 
New  York,  and  to  secure  the  posts  on  the 

New  York    heights.     For   this   latter   purpose,  the   lines 

evacuated. 

were  all  manned,  but  no  attempt  was  made  on 
them.  The  retreat  from  New  York  was  effected 
with  a  very  inconsiderable  loss  of  men,  sus- 
tained in  a  skirmish  at  Bloomingdale;  but  all 
the  heavy  artillery,  and  a  large  portion  of  the 
baggage,  provisions,  and  military  stores,  much 
of  which  might  have  been  saved  had  the  post 
at  Kipp's  bay  been  properly  defended,  were 
unavoidably  abandoned.  No  part  of  the  loss 
was  more  severely  felt  than  that  of  tents.  The 
supply  of  this  important  article  had  before  been 
very  inadequate  to  the  demands  of  the  army,  and 
the  want  of  covering  began  to  be  now  very 
severely  felt.  In  this  shameful  day,  one  colonel, 
one  captain,  three  subalterns,  and  ten  privates 
were  certainly  killed:  one  lieutenant  colonel, 
one  captain;  and  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven 
privates  were  missing;  many  of  whom  were 
made  prisoners,  and  some  of  them  perhaps 
killed. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  473 

The  unsoldierly  conduct  displayed  on  this  CHAP,  vn. 
occasion,  was  not  attributable  to  a  want  of  1776. 
personal  courage,  but  to  other  causes.  The 
apprehensions,  excited  by  the  defeat  on  Long 
island,  had  not  yet  subsided,  nor  had  the 
American  troops  recovered  their  confidence 
either  in  themselves,  or  their  commanders. 
Their  situation  appeared  to  themselves  to  be 
perilous;  and  they  had  not  yet  acquired  that 
temper  which  teaches  the  veteran,  to  do  his 
duty  wherever  he  may  be  placed ;  to  assure 
himself  that  others  will  do  their  duty  likewise; 
and  to  rely  that  those,  who  take  into  view  the 
situation  of  the  whole,  will  not  expose  him  to 
useless  hazards,  or  neglect  those  precautions 
which  the  safety  and  advantage  of  the  whole 
may  require. 

Unfortunately,  causes,  in  addition  to  those 
so  often  stated,  existed  in  a  great  part  of  the 
army,  which  were  but  too  operative  in  obstruct, 
ing  the  progress  of  such  military  sentiments. 
In  New  England,  from  whence  the  war  had  as 
yet  been  principally  supported,  the  zeal  excited 
by  the  revolution  had  taken  such  a  direction, 
as  in  a  great  degree  to  abolish  those  distinctions 
between  the  platoon  officers  and  the  soldiers, 
which  are  so  indispensable  to  the  formation  of 
an  army,  capable  of  being  applied  to  all  the 
purposes  of  war.  In  many  instances,  these 
officers,  who  constitute  so  important  a  part  of 
every  army,  were  elected  by  the  men;  and  a 

VOL.    II.  3  P 


474  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vu.  disposition  to  associate  with  them  on  the  foot- 
1776.  ing  of  equality,  was  a  recommendation  of  much 
more  weight,  and  frequently  conduced  much 
more  to  the  choice,  than  individual  merit.  It 
has  been  stated  by  gentlemen  of  high  rank, 
that,  in  some  instances,  those  were  elected  who 
agreed  to  put  their  pay  in  mess  with  the  soldiers, 
and  to  divide  equally  with  them.  Among  such 
officers,  the  most  disgraceful  and  unmilitary 
practices  frequently  prevailed,  and  the  privates 
could  not  sufficiently  respect  them,  to  acquire 
habits  of  obedience  and  subordination. 

These  defects  had  been  in  some  degree 
remedied,  in  new  modelling  the  army  before 
Boston,  but  they  still  existed  to  a  fatal  extent; 
and,  in  examining  the  orders  of  that  period,  it 
appears  that  several  officers  of  inferior  grade, 
were  not,  themselves,  exempt  from  the  gene- 
ral spirit  of  pillage  and  plunder,  which,  at  that 
time,  disgraced  the  American  troops ;  and  which 
will  disgrace  all  troops  not  subjected  to  an 
exact  and  rigid  discipline;  but  particularly 
those  who  have  not  been  officered  with  care. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  475 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Skirmish  on  the  heights  of  Haerlem....The  enemy  land 
at  Frogs'  neck. ...The  American  army  evacuates  York 
island,  except  fort  Washington. ...Both  armies  move 
towards  the  White  Plains. ...Battle  of  the  White  Plains.... 
The  British  army  returns  to  King's  bridge,  and  gene- 
ral Washington  with  a  part  of  his  army  crosses  the 
North  river.. ..The  lines  of  fort  Washington  carried  by 
the  enemy,  and  the  garrison  made  prisoners. ...Evacu- 
ation of  fort  Lee.... Weakness  of  the  American  army.... 
Ineffectual  attempts  to  raise  the  militia.. ..General  Wash- 
ington retreats  through  Jersey.1.. .Capture  of  general 
Lee. ...General  Washington  crosses  the  Delaware.... 
Danger  of  Philadelphia.. ..The  British  go  into  winter 
quarters. ...Battle  of  Trenton.. ..Of  Princeton. ...Firmness 
of  Congress. 

1  HE   enemy,    being   now  in   possession  of    1776. 
New  York,*  stationed  a   few  troops  in  that  s!!!!±2f ' 
place,  and  took  post  with  the  main  tk>dy  of 
their  army  on  York  island,  near  the  American 
lines.    Their  right  was  at  Horen's  hook  on  the 
East  river,  and  their  left  reached  the  North 
river  near  Bloomingdale,  so  that  their  encamp- 
ment extended  quite  across  the  island,  which, 

*  Soon  after  New  York  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
a  fire  broke  out  in  the  night  about  eleven  o'clock,  and 
continued  to  i*age  until  the  next  morning,  when  it  was 
extinguished  by  great  exertions  on  the  part  of  the  mili- 
tary stationed  in  the  town,  after  having  consumed  about 
one  third  of  the  buildings.  It  is  said  to  have  been  pur- 
posely set  on  fire,  and  several  individuals,  believed  to 
have  perpetrated  the  act,  were  precipitated  into  the 
3  P  2 


476  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vni.  though  about  sixteen  miles  in  length,  is  in  this 
1776.    place  scarcely  two  miles  wide;   and  both  their 
flanks  v,  ere  covered  by  their  ships. 

The  strongest  point  of  the  American  lines 
was  at  King's  brk'ge,  both  sides  of  which  had 
been  carefully  fortified,  and  to  which  they 
were  very  attentive,  because  it  preserved  their 
communication  with  the  continent.  They  also 
occupied  in  considerable  force  M'Gowan's  pass 
and  Morris's  heights,  which  were  fortified,  and 
capable  of  being  defended  against  superior 
numbers.  On  the  heights  of  Haerlem  too,  still 
nearer  the  enemy,  within  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  of  them,  a  strong  detachment  was  posted 
in  an  intrenched  camp. 

The  present  position  of  the  armies  was  ex- 
tremely  favourable  to  the  views  of  the  American 
general.  He  wished  to  habituate  his  soldiers, 
by  a  series  of  successful  skirmishes,  to  meet 
the  enemy  in  the  field;  and  he  persuaded  him- 
self that  his  detachments,  knowing  that  a  strong 

flames.  It  was  alleged  by  the  enemy,  that  the  American 
general  had  designed  to  reduce  the  town  to  ashes,  had  he 
not  been  compelled  to  abandon  it  so  precipitately  as  to 
Vender  the  execution  of  this  intention  impracticable,  and 
that  the  fire  was  in  consequence  of  this  design.  But  this 
allegation  is  fouixied  entirely  in  mistake.  Neither  the 
congress,  nor  general  Washington,  had  formed  so  de- 
structive a  plan  ;  and  the  fire  must  either  have  been 
kindled  by  individuals,  whose  misguided  zeal  induced 
them  to  adopt  so  terrible  a  measure;  or  by  flagitious  in- 
cendiaries, who  hoped  to  plunder  in  security  during  the 
confusion  of  extinguishing  the  flames. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  477 

intrenched  camp  was  immediately  in  their  rear,  CHAP.  \m. 
would  engage  the  enemy  without  apprehension,     1775. 
would  display  their  native  courage,  and  would 
soon  regain  the  confidence  they  appeared  to 
have  lost. 

Opportunities  of  this  sort  could  not  long  be 
wanting.  The  day  after  the  retreat  from  New 
York,  the  enemy  appeared  in  considerable  force 
in  the  plains  between  the  two  camps;  and  the 
general  immediately  rode  to  his  advanced  posts, 
in  order  to  make,  in  person,  such  arrangements 
as  this  movement  might  require.  Soon  after 
his  arrival,  lieutenant  colonel  Knowlton  of  Con- 
necticut, a  very  brave  and  valuable  officer,  who 
had  been  skirmishing  with  them,  at  the  head 
of  a  corps  of  rangers,  composed  of  volunteers 
from  different  New  England  regiments,  came 
in,  and,  on  conjecture,  stated  the  number  of 
the  British  party,  the  main  body  of  which  was 
concealed  in  a  wood,  at  about  three  hundred 
men. 

The  general  ordered  colonel  Knowlton  with 
his  rangers,  and  major  Leitch  with  three  com- 
panics  of  the  third  Virginia  regiment,  which 
had  joined  the  army  only  the  preceding  day, 
to  endeavour  to  get  in  their  rear,  while  he 
amused  them  with  the  appearance  of  making 
dispositions  to  attack  their  front. 

This  plan  succeeded.  The  enemy  ran  eagerly 
down  a  hill  in  order  to  possess  themselves  of 
some  fences  and  bushes,  which  they  considered 


478  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vui.  as  an  advantageous  position  to  take,   against 

1776.    the  party  advancing  in  their  front:   and  a  firing 

ensued,  but  at  too  great  a  distance  to  do  any 

skirmish      execution.     In  the  mean  time,  colonel  Knowl- 

on  the  . 

HeaSem°f  ton»  not  bein§  precisely  acquainted  with  their 
new  position,  commenced  his  attack,  rather 
on  their  flank  than  rear,  and  a  very  warm  action 
ensued. 

In  a  short  time,  major  Leitch,  who  had  very 
gallantly  led  on  the  detachment,  was  brought 
off  the  ground  mortally  wounded,  having  re- 
ceived three  balls  through  his  body;  and  not 
long  afterwards,  colonel  Knowlton  also  fell, 
bravely  fighting  at  the  head  of  his  troops.  Yet, 
the  captains  with  their  companies  kept  their 
ground;  and  with  much  animation,  continued 
the  action.  The  British  were  re-enforced;  and 
general  Washington,  perceiving  the  necessity 
of  supporting  the  Americans  also,  ordered  to 
their  aid  some  detachments  from  the  adjacent 
regiments  of  New  England  and  Maryland. 
Thus  re-enforced,  they  charged  the  enemy  with 
great  intrepidity,  drove  them  out  of  the  woods 
into  the  plains,  and  were  pressing  them  still 
further,  when  the  general,  content  with  the 
present  advantage,  and  apprehending  that  a 
much  larger  body  of  the  enemy  would  soon 
change  the  aspect  of  affairs,  called  back  his 
troops  to  their  intrenchments. 

In  this  sharp  conflict,  in  which  they  had  en- 
gaged a  battalion  of  light  infantry,  another  of 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  479 

Highlanders,  and  three  companies  of  Hessian  CHAP,  vm. 
riflemen, p  the  Americans  had  about  fifty  men  1776. 
killed  and  wounded,  while  the  enemy  lost  more 
than  double  that  number ;  but  the  real  impor- 
tance of  the  affair  was  derived  from  its  operation 
on  the  spirits  of  the  whole  army.  It  was  the 
first  success  they  had  experienced,  this  cam- 
paign; and  its  influence  was  very  discernible. 
To  give  it  the  more  effect,  the  parole,  the  next 
day,  was  Leitch,  and  the  general  in  his  orders 
publicly  thanked  the  troops  under  the  com- 
mand of  that  officer,  who  had  first  advanced  on 
the  enemy,  and  the  others  who  had  so  resolutely 
supported  them.  He  contrasted  their  conduct 
with  that  which  had  been  exhibited  the  day 
before,  and  the  result,  he  said,  evidenced  what 
might  be  done  where  officers  and  soldiers  would 
exert  themselves.  Once  more,  therefore,  he 
called  on  them  so  to  act,  as  not  to  disgrace  the 
noble  cause  in  which  they  were  engaged;  but 
to  support  the  honour  and  liberties  of  their 
country. 

He  appointed  a  successor  to  "  the  gallant 
and  brave  colonel  Knowlton,  who  would,"  he 
said,  "  have  been  an  honour  to  any  country,  and 
who  had  fallen  gloriously  fighting  at  his  post." 

In  this  active  state  of  the  campaign,  when 
the  utmost  stretch  of  every  faculty  was  re- 
quired to  watch  and  counteract  the  plans  of 

P  Annual  Register, ...Stedman. 


480  THE  LIFE  OF 

cHAp.vni.  the  enemy,  the  effects  of  the  original  errors 
1776.  committed  by  the  government  in  its  military 
establishment,  were  beginning  to  be  so  seri- 
ously felt,  as  to  induce  the  commander  in 
chief  to  devote  a  portion  of  his  time  and  atten- 
tion to  the  complete  removal  of  the  causes 
which  produced  them. 

The  situation  of  America  was  now  becoming 
extremely  critical.  The  almost  entire  dissolu- 
tion of  the  existing  army,  by  the  expiration  of  the 
time  for  which  the  greater  number  of  the  troops 
had  been  engaged,  was  fast  approaching.  No 
steps  had  been  taken  to  recruit  the  new  regi- 
ments resolved  on  by  congress  for  the  ensuing 
campaign,  and  there  was  much  reason  to  ap- 
prehend, that  the  terms  offered  would  not,  in 
the  actual  state  of  things,  hold  forth  sufficient 
inducements  to  fill  t]iem. 

With  so  unpromising  a  prospect  before  him, 
the  general  found  himself  pressed  by  an  army, 
permanent  in  its  establishment,  supplied  with 
every  requisite  for  war,  formidable  for  its  dis- 
cipline and  the  experience  of  its  leaders,  and 
superior  to  him,  even  at  present,  in  numbers. 
These  circumstances,  and  the  impressions  they 
created,  will  be  best  exhibited  by  inserting  an 
sept. 24.  extract  from  a  letter  written  at  the  time  to 
congress.  It  is  in  these  words:  "From  the 
hours  allotted  to  sleep,  I  will  borrow  a  few 
moments  to  convey  my  thoughts,  on  sundry 
important  matters,  to  congress,.  I  shall  offer 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  481 

them  with  that  sincerity  which  ought  to  cha-  CHAP.VHI. 
racterize    a   man    of  candour;     and   with   the     1776. 
freedom  which  may  be  used  in  giving  useful 
information,  without  incurring  the  imputation 
of  presumption. 

11  We  are  now,  as  it  were,  upon  the  eve  of 
another  dissolution  of  our  army.  The  remem- 
brance of  the  difficulties  which  happened  upon 
that  occasion  last  year ;  the  consequences 
which  might  have  followed  the  change,  if  proper 
advantages  had  been  taken  by  the  enemy ; 
added  to  a  knowledge  of  the  present  temper  and 
situation  of  the  troops,  reflect  but  a  very 
gloomy  prospect  upon  the  appearance  of  things 
now,  and  satisfy  me  beyond  the  possibility  of 
doubt,  that,  unless  some  speedy  and  effectual 
measures  are  adopted  by  congress,  our  cause 
will  be  lost. 

"  It  is  in  vain  to  expect  that  any,  or  more 
than  a  trifling  part  of  this  army  will  engage 
again  in  the  service,  on  the  encouragement 
offered  by  congress.  When  men  find  that 
their  townsmen  and  companions  are  receiving 
twenty,  thirty,  and  more  dollars,  for  a  few 
months  service  (which  is  truly  the  case)  this 
cannot  be  expected,  without  using  compulsion; 
and  to  force  them  into  the  service  would  answer 
no  valuable  purpose.  When  men  are  irritated, 
and  their  passions  inflamed,  they  fly  hastily  and 
cheerfully  to  arms ;  but  after  the  first  emotions 
are  over,  to  expect  among  such  people  as 

VOL.    II.  3  ( 


482  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  VITI.  compose  the  bulk  of  an  army;  that  they  are 
1776.  influenced  by  any  other  principles  than  those 
of  interest,  is  to  look  for  what  never  did,  and 
I  fear  never  will  happen ;  the  congress  will 
deceive  themselves  therefore  if  they  expect  it. 
"  A  soldier,  reasoned  with  upon  the  good- 
ness of  the  cause  he  is  engaged  in,  and  the 
inestimable  rights  he  is  contending  for,  hears 
you  with  patience,  and  acknowledges  the 
truth  of  your  observations ;  but  adds,  that 
it  is  of  no  more  consequence  to  him  than  to 
others.  The  officer  makes  you  the  same  reply, 
with  this  further  remark,  that  his  pay  will  not 
support  him,  and  he  cannot  ruin  himself  and 
family  to  serve  his  country,  when  every  mem- 
ber of  the  community  is  equally  benefited  and 
interested  by  his  labours.  The  few,  therefore, 
who  act  upon  principles  of  disinterestedness 
are,  comparatively  speaking,  no  more  than  a 
drop  in  the  ocean.  It  becomes  evidently  clear 
then,  that,  as  this  contest  is  not  likely  to  be 
the  work  of  a  day ;  as  the  war  must  be  carried 
on  systematically,  and  to  do  it,  you  must  have 
good  officers ;  there  is,  in  my  judgment,  no 
other  possible  means  to  obtain  them,  but  by 
establishing  your  army  upon  a  permanent  foot- 
ing, and  giving  your  officers  good  pay ;  this 
will  induce  gentlemen,  and  men  of  character, 
to  engage,  and  until  the  bulk  of  your  officers 
are  composed  of  such  persons  as  are  actuated 
by  principles  of  honour  and  a  spirit  of  enter- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  433 

prise,  you  have  little  to  expect  from  them.  CHAP.VHI. 
They  ought  to  have  such  allowances,  as  will  1776. 
enable  them  to  live  like,  and  support  the  cha- 
racters of  gentlemen ;  and  not  be  driven  by  a 
scanty  pittance  to  the  low  and  dirty  arts  which 
many  of  them  practise,  to  filch  the  public  of 
more  than  the  difference  of  pay  would  amount 
to,  upon  an  ample  allowance.  Besides,  some- 
thing is  due  to  the  man  who  puts  his  life  in 
your  hands,  hazards  his  health,  and  forsakes 
the  sweets  of  domestic  enjoyments.  Why  a 
captain  in  the  continental  service  should  receive 
no  more  than  five  shillings  currency  per  day, 
for  performing  the  same  duties  that  an  officer 
of  the  same  rank  in  the  British  service  receives 
ten  shillings  sterling  for,  I  never  could  con- 
ceive ;  especially,  when  the  latter  is  provided 
with  every  necessary  he  requires  upon  the  best 
terms,  and  the  former  can  scarcely  procure 
them  at  any  rate.  There  is  nothing  that  gives 
a  man  consequence,  and  renders  him  fit  for 
command,  like  a  support  that  renders  him  inde- 
pendent of  every  body  but  the  state  he  serves. 
"  With  respect  to  the  men,  nothing  but  a 
good  bounty  can  obtain  them  upon  a  permanent 
establishment,  and  for  no  shorter  time  than 
the  continuance  of  the  Avar  ought  they  to  be 
engaged ;  as  facts  incontestibly  prove  that  the 
difficulty  and  cost  of  inlistments  increase  with 
time.  When  the  army  was  first  raised  at 
Cambridge,  I  am  persuaded  the  men  might 


484  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vin.  have  been  got  without  a  bounty  for  the  war : 
1776.  after  that,  they  began  to  see  that  the  contest 
was  not  likely  to  end  so  speedily  as  was  ima- 
gined, and  to  feel  their  consequence  by  re- 
marking, that  to  get  their  militia  in,  in  the 
course  of  last  year,  many  towns  were  induced 
to  give  them  a  bounty.  Foreseeing  the  evils 
resulting  from  this,  and  the  destructive  conse- 
quences which  would  unavoidably  follow  short 
inlistments,  I  took  the  liberty,  in  a  long  letter, 
(date  not  now  recollected  as  my  letter  book  is 
not  here)  to  recommend  the  inlistments  for  and 
during  the  war,  assigning  such  reasons  for  it, 
as  experience  has  since  convinced  me,  were 
well  founded.  At  that  time,  twenty  dollars 
would,  I  am  persuaded,  have  engaged  the  men 
for  this  term  :  but  it  will  not  do  to  look  back, 
and  if  the  present  opportunity  is  slipped,  I  am 
persuaded  that  twelve  months  more  will  in- 
crease our'difficulties  fourfold.  I  shall  there- 
fore take  the  liberty  of  giving  it  as  my  opinion, 
that  a  good  bounty  be  immediately  offered, 
aided  by  the  proffer  of  at  least  a  hundred,  or  a 
hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  and  a  suit  of 
clothes,  and  a  blanket,  to  each  non-commis- 
sioned officer  and  soldier,  as  I  have  good 
authority  for  saying  that,  however  high  the 
men's  pay  may  appear,  it  is  barely  sufficient, 
in  the  present  scarcity  and  dearness  of  all  kinds 
of  goods,  to  keep  them  in  clothes,  much  less 
to  afford  support  to  their  families.  If  this  en- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  435 

couragement  then  is  given  to  the  men,  and  CHAP.  vm. 
such  pay  allowed  to  the  officers,  as  will  induce  1776. 
gentlemen  of  liberal  character  and  liberal  sen- 
timents to  engage,  and  proper  care  and  caution 
be  used  in  the  nomination  (having  more  regard 
to  the  characters  of  persons  than  the  number 
of  men  they  can  inlist)  we  should  in  a  little 
time  have  an  army  able  to  cope  with  any  that 
can  be  opposed  to  it,  as  there  are  excellent 
materials  to  form  one  out  of;  but  whilst  the 
only  merit  an  officer  possesses  is  his  ability  to 
raise  men ;  while  those  men  consider  and  treat 
him  as  an  equal,  and  in  the  character  of  an 
officer,  regard  him  no  more  than  a  broomstick, 
being  mixed  together  as  one  common  herd ; 
no  order  nor  discipline  can  prevail,  nor  will  the 
officer  ever  meet  with  that  respect  which  is 
essentially  necessary  to  due  subordination. 

"  To  place  any  dependence  upon  militia,  is 
assuredly  resting  upon  a  broken  staff.  Men 
just  dragged  from  the  tender  scenes  of  domes- 
tic life;  unaccustomed  to  the  din  of  arms; 
totally  unacquainted  with  every  kind  of  military 
skill ;  which,  being  followed  by  a  want  of 
confidence  in  themselves,  when  opposed  to 
troops  regularly  trained,  disciplined,  and  ap- 
pointed ;  superior  in  knowledge  and  superior 
in  arms ;  makes  them  timid  and  ready  to  fly 
from  their  own  shadows.  Besides,  the  sudden 
change  in  their  manner  of  living,  particularly 
in  their  lodging,  brings  on  sickness  in  many, 


486  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vin.  impatience  in  all ;  and  such  an  unconquerable 
1776.  desire  of  returning  to  their  respective  homes, 
that  it  not  only  produces  shameful  and  scandalous 
desertions  among  themselves,  but  infuses  the 
like  spirit  in  others.  Again,  men  accustomed 
to  unbounded  freedom,  and  no  control,  cannot 
brook  the  restraint  which  is  indispensably 
necessary  to  the  good  order  and  government  of 
an  army ;  without  which,  licentiousness  and 
every  kind  of  disorder  triumphantly  reign.  To 
bring  men  to  a  proper  degree  of  subordination, 
is  not  the  work  of  a  day,  a  month,  or  a  year  ; 
and  unhappily  for  us,  and  the  cause  we  are 
engaged  in,  the  little  discipline  I  have  been 
labouring  to  establish  in  the  army  under  my 
immediate  command,  is  in  a  manner  done 
away  by  having  such  a  mixture  of  troops,  as 
have  been  called  together  within  these  few 
months. 

"  Relaxed  and  unfit  as  our  rules  and  regula- 
tions of  war  are  for  the  government  of  an  army ; 
the  militia  (those  properly  so  called,  for  of 
these  we  have  two  sorts,  the  six  months  men 
and  those  sent  in  as  a  temporary  aid,)  do  not 
think  themselves  subject  to  them,  and  therefore 
take  liberties  which  the  soldier  is  punished  for. 
This  creates  jealousy,  jealousy  begets  dissatis- 
faction, and  these  by  degrees  ripen  into  mutiny; 
keeping  the  whole  army  in  a  confused  and  dis- 
ordered state;  rendering  the  time  of  those, 
who  wish  to  see  regularity  and  good  order  pre- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  487 

vail,  more  unhappy  than  words  can  describe  ;  CHAP.  VUL 
besides  this,  such  repeated  changes  take  place,     irre. 
that  all  arrangement  is  set  at  nought ;  and  the 
constant  fluctuation  of  things  deranges  every 
plan,  as  fast  as  it  is  adopted. 

"  These,  sir,  congress  may  be  assured,  are 
but  a  small  part  of  the  inconveniencies  which 
might  be  enumerated,  and  attributed  to  militia : 
but  there  is  one  that  merits  particular  attention, 
and  that  is  the  expense.  Certain  I  am,  that  it 
would  be  cheaper  to  keep  fifty,  or  an  hundred 
thousand  men  in  constant  pay,  than  to  depend 
upon  half  the  number,  and  supply  the  other 
half  occasionally  by  militia.  The  time  the 
latter  is  in  pay,  before  and  after  they  are  in 
camp,  assembling  and  marching;  the  waste  of 
ammunition  j  the  consumption  of  stores  which, 
in  spite  of  every  resolution  and  requisition  of 
congress,  they  must  be  furnished  with,  or  sent 
home ;  added  to  other  incidental  expenses  con- 
sequent upon  their  coming,  and  conduct  in 
camp,  surpass  all  idea;  and  destroy  every  kind 
of  regularity,  and  economy,  which  you  could 
establish  among  fixed  and  settled  troops  ;  and 
will,  in  my  opinion,  prove  (if  the  scheme  is 
adhered  to)  the  ruin  of  our  cause. 

"  The  jealousies  of  a  standing  army,  and  the 
evils  to  be  apprehended  from  one,  are  remote; 
and,  in  my  judgment,  situated  and  circum- 
stanced as  we  are,  not  at  all  to  be  dreaded ; 
but  the  consequence  of  wanting  one,  according 


488  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vin.  to  my  ideas,  formed  upon  the  present  view  of 
1776.  things,  is  certain  and  inevitable  ruin;  for  if  I 
was  called  upon  to  declare  upon  oath,  whether 
the  militia  have  been  most  serviceable  or  hurt- 
ful upon  the  whole,  I  should  subscribe  to  the 
latter.  I  do  not  mean  by  this,  however,  to 
arraign  the  conduct  of  congress  in  so  doing,  I 
should  equally  condemn  my  own  measures,  if 
not  my  judgment;  but  experience,  which  is 
the  best  criterion  to  work  by,  so  fully,  clearly, 
and  decisively,  reprobates  the  practice  of  trust- 
ing to  militia,  that  no  man  who  regards  order, 
regularity,  and  economy,  or  ^vho  has  any  regard 
for  his  own  honour,  character,  or  peace  of 
mind,  will  risk  them  upon  militia." 

Congress  had  already  determined  that  the 
men  inlisted  in  future,  should  be  engaged  du- 
ring the  war,  and  the  resolution  to  that  effect 
was  received  soon  after  the  dispatch  of  this 
letter;  but  sufficient  inducements  to  secure  the 
execution  of  their  resolutions  had  not,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  general  been  held  forth  to  either 
officers  or  soldiers;  and,  on  this  subject,  he 
again  thus  addressed  them. 

octets.  "  Before  I  knew  of  the  late  resolutions  of 
congress  which  you  did  me  the  honour  to  en- 
close in  your  letter  of  the  24th,  and  before  I 
was  favoured  with  the  visit  of  your  committee, 
I  took  the  liberty  of  giving  you  my  sentiments 
on  several  points  which  seemed  to'  be  of  im- 
portance. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  439 

"  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  the  committee  will  CHAP.  vm. 
make  such  report  of  the  state  and  condition  of  1776. 
the  army,  as  will  induce  congress  to  believe, 
that  nothing  but  the  most  vigorous  exertions 
can  put  matters  upon  such  a  footing,  as  to 
give  this  continent  a  fair  prospect  of  success. 
Give  me  leave  to  say,  sir,  I  say  it  with  due 
deference  and  respect,  (and  my  knowledge  of 
the  facts,  added  to  the  importance  of  the  cause, 
and  the  stake  I  hold  in  it,  must  justify  the 
freedom)  that  your  affairs  are  in  a  more  unpro- 
mising way  than  you  seem  to  apprehend 

"  Your  army,  as  mentioned  in  my  last,  is 
upon  the  eve  of  its  political  dissolution.  True 
it  is,  you  have  voted  a  larger  one  in  lieu  of  it; 
but  the  season  is  late,  and  there  is  a  material 
difference  between  voting  battalions,  and  raising 
men.  In  the  latter  there  are  more  difficulties 
than  congress  seem  aware  of,  which  makes  it 
my  duty  (as  I  have  been  informed  of  the  pre- 
vailing sentiments  of  this  army)  to  inform  them 
that,  unless  the  pay  of  the  officers  (especially 
that  of  the  field  officers)  is  raised,  the  chief  part 
of  those  that  are  worth  retaining  will  leave  the 
service  at  the  expiration  of  the  present  term; 
as  the  soldiers  will  also,  if  some  greater  encou- 
ragement is  not  offered  them,  than  twenty  dol- 
lars and  one  hundred  acres  of  land. 

"  Nothing  less,  in  my  opinion,  than  a  suit  of 
clothes  annually  given  to  each  non-commis- 
sioned officer  and  soldier,  in  addition  to  the  pay 

VOL.   II.  3  R 


490  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  viii.  and  bounty,  will  avail;  and  I  question  whether 
1776.  that  will  do,  as  the  enemy,  from  the  information 
of  one  John  Marsh,  who,  with  six  others,  was 
taken  by  our  guards,  are  giving  ten  pounds 
bounty  for  recruits,  and  have  got  a  battalion 
under  major  Rodgers  nearly  completed  upon 
Long  island. 

"  Nor  will  less  pay,  according  to  my  judg- 
ment, than  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  mention- 
ing in  the  enclosed  estimate,  retain  such  officers 
as  we  could  wish  to  have  continued;  the  dif- 
ference per  month  in  each  battalion  would 
amount  to  better  than  one  hundred  pounds ;  to 
this  may  be  added  the  pay  of  the  staff  officers ; 
for  it  is  presumable  they  will  also  require  an 
augmentation,  but  being  few  in  number,  the 
sum  will  not  be  greatly  increased  by  them,  and 
consequently  is  a  matter  of  no  great  moment; 
but  it  is  a  matter  of  no  small  importance  to 
make  the  several  offices  desirable.  When  the 
pay  and  establishment  of  an  officer  once  become 
objects  of  interested  attention,  the  sloth,  negli- 
gencej  and  even  disobedience  of  orders,  which 
at  this  time  but  too  generally  prevail,  will  be 
purged  off.  But  while  the  service  is  viewed 
with  indifference ;  while  the  officer  conceives 
that  he  is  rather  conferring,  than  receiving  an 
obligation;  there  will  be  a  total  relaxation  of 
all  order  and  discipline,  and  every  thing  will 
move  heavily  on,  to  the  great  detriment  of  the 
service,-and  inexpressible  trouble  and  vexation 
of  the  general. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  491 

11  The  critical  situation  of  our  affairs  at  this  CHAP.  vm. 
time  will  justify  my  saying  that  no  time  is  to  1776. 
be  lost  in  making  fruitless  experiments.  An 
unavailing1  trial  of  a  month,  to  get  an  army  upon 
the  terms  proposed,  may  render  it  impracti- 
cable to  do  it  at  all,  and  prove  fatal  to  our  cause, 
as  I  am  not  sure  whether  any  rubs  in  the  way 
of  our  inlistments,  or  unfavourable  turn  in 
our  affairs,  may  not  prove  the  means  of  the 
enemy's  recruiting  men  faster  than  we  do.  To 
this  may  be  added  the  inextricable  difficulty  of 
forming  one  corps  out  of  another,  and  arran- 
ging matters  with  any  degree  of  order,  in  the 
face  of  an  enemy  who  are  watching  for  advan- 
tages. 

"  At  Cambridge  last  year,  where  the  officers 
(and  more  than  a  sufficiency  of  them)  were  all 
upon  the  spot,  we  found  it  a  work  of  such 
extreme  difficulty  to  know  their  sentiments 
(each  having  some  terms  to  propose)  that  I 
despaired,  once,  of  getting  the  arrangement 
completed,  and  do  suppose  that  at  least  a  hun- 
dred alterations  took  place  before  matters  were 
finally  adjusted;  what  must  it  be  then  under 
the  present  regulation,  where  the  officer  is  to 
negotiate  this  matter  with  the  state  he'  comes 
from,  distant,  perhaps,  two  or  three  hundred 
miles;  some  of  whom,  without  any  license 
from  me,  set  out  to  make  personal  application, 
the  moment  the  resolution  got  to  their  hands? 
3  R  2  " 


492  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  via  what  kind  of  officers  these  are,  I  leave  congress 
1776.    to  judge. 

"  If  an  officer  of  reputation  (for  none  other 
should  be  applied  to)  is  asked  to  stay,  what 
answer  can  he  give?  but,  in  the  first  place, 
that  he  does  not  know  whether  it  is  at  his  op- 
tion to  do  so;  no  provision  being  made  in  the 
resolution  of  congress  even  recommendatory  of 
this  measure,  consequently  that  it  rests  with 
the  state  he  comes  from  (surrounded  perhaps 
with  a  variety  of  applications,  and  influenced 
perhaps  with  local  attachments)  to  determine 
whether  he  can  be  provided  for,  or  not.  In 
the  next  place,  if  he  is  an  officer  of  merit,  and 
knows  that  the  state  he  comes  from  is  to  furnish 
more  battalions  than  it  at  present  has  in  the 
service,  he  will  scarcely,  after  two  years  faith- 
ful services,  think  of  continuing  in  the  rank  he 
now  bears,  when  new  creations  are  to  be  made 
and  men  appointed  to  offices  (no  ways  superior 
in  merit,  and  ignorant  of  service  perhaps) 
over  his  head. 

"  A  committee  sent  to  the  army  from  each 
state  may,  upon  the  spot,  fix  things  with  a 
degree  of  propriety  and  certainty,  and  is  the 
only  method  I  can  see,  of  bringing  measures 
to  a  decision  with  respect  to  the  officers  of  the 
army;  but  what  can  be  done  in  the  mean  time 
towards  the  arrangement  in  the  country,  I 
-  know  not.  In  the  one  case,  you  run  the  hazard 
of  losing  your  officers;  in  the  other,  of  encoun- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  493 

tering   delay;    unless  some  method  could  be  CHAP,  vm. 
devised  of  forwarding  both  at  the  same  instant.     1776. 

"  Upon  the  present  plan,  I  plainly  foresee  an 
intervention  of  time  between  the  old  and  new 
army,  which  must  be  filled  with  militia,  if  to 
be  had,  with  whom  no  man,  wrho  has  any 
regard  for  his  own  reputation,  can  undertake  to 
be  answerable  for  consequences.  I  shall  also 
be  mistaken  in  my  conjectures,  if  we  do  not 
lose  the  most  valuable  officers  in  this  army, 
under  the  present  mode  of  appointing  them; 
consequently,  if  we  have  an  army  at  all,  it  will 
be  composed  of  materials,  not  only  entirely  raw; 
but,  if  uncommon  pains  are  not  taken,  entirely 
unfit ;  and  I  see  such  a  distrust  and  jealousy  of 
military  power,  that  the  commander  in  chief 
has  not  an  opportunity,  even  by  recommenda- 
tion, to  give  the  least  assurances  of  reward  for 
the  most  essential  services. 

"  In  a  word,  such  a  cloud  of  perplexing  cir- 
cumstances appears  before  me,  without  one 
flattering  hope ;  that,  I  am  thoroughly  con- 
vinced, unless  the  most  vigorous  and  decisive 
exertions  are  immediately  adopted  to  remedy 
these  evils,  that  the  certain  and  absolute  loss 
of  our  liberties  will  be  the  inevitable  conse- 
quence; as  one  unhappy  stroke  will  thro\v  a 
powerful  weight  into  the  scale  against  us,  and 
enable  general  Howe  to  recruit  his  army,  as 
fast  as  we  shall  ours ;  numbers  being  disposed 
and  many  actually  doing  so  already.  Some  of 


494  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vni.  the  most  probable  remedies,  and  such  as  ex- 

1776.    perience   has   brought  to   my  more   intimate 

knowledge,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  point 

out;    the  rest  I   beg  leave  to  submit  to  the 

consideration  of  congress. 

"  I  ask  pardon  for  taking  up  so  much  of  their 
time  with  my  opinions,  but  I  should  betray 
that  trust  which  they  and  my  country  have 
reposed  in  me,  were  I  to  be  silent  upon  matters 
so  extremely  interesting." 

On  receiving  this  very  serious  letter,  it  was 
resolved  that  the  pay  of  the  officers  should  be 
raised  according  to  the  wishes  of  the  general; 
and  that  it  should  be  recommended  to  the  legis- 
latures of  those  states  having  any  regiments 
now  in  the  continental  service,  either  at  New 
York,  Ticonderoga,  or  New  Jersey,  forthwith 
to  depute  committees  to  those  places  in  order 
to  appoint  officers  to  the  regiments  to  be  raised 
under  the  new  establishment;  that  they  might 
re-inlist  those  men  now  in  service,  who  should 
incline  to  engage  for  the  war.  They  also  re- 
commended to  these  committees,  in  making 
these  appointments,  to  advise  with  the  general 
and  to  promote  such  officers  as  had  distin- 
guished themselves  for  abilities,  activity,  and 
vigilance,  and  more  especially  for  their  atten- 
tion to  military  discipline;  and  not  to  appoint 
any  officer  who  should  leave  his  station  in  the 
army,  and  be  absent  without  leave.  On  further 
reflection,  they  added  another  recommendation, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  495 

which  manifests  the  sense  they  entertained  of  CHAP,  vm. 
the  ill  consequences  of  the  pernicious  mode  of    irre. 
creating  officers   originally   adopted.     It  was, 
that  all  the  officers  to  be  appointed  be  men  of 
honour*  and  known  abilities,  without  a  particu- 
lar regard  to  their  having  before  been  in  ser- 
vice.    In  addition  to  the  pay  of  the  privates,  a 
suit  of  regimentals  was  allowed  them  annually ; 
and  the  states,  as  far  as  Virginia,  were  urged 
to  use  their  utmost  endeavours  to  complete  their 
quotas. 

The  armies  did  not  long  retain  their  posi- 
tion on  York  island.  General  Howe  was  sen- 
sible of  the  strength  of  the  American  camp, 
and  had  no  inclination  to  force  it.  His  plan 
was  to  compel  general  Washington  either  to 
abandon  it,  or  to  fight  him  in  a  situation  in 
which  a  defeat  must  be  attended  with  the  total 
destruction  of  his  army.  With  this  view,  he 
determined,  after  throwing  up  intrenchments 
on  M'Gowan's  hill  for  the  protection  of  New- 
York,  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  American  camp, 
by  the  New  England  road,  along  which  their 
principal  supplies  of  provisions  were  received ; 
and  also  to  possess  himself  of  the  North  river 
above  King's  bridge.  To  assure  himself  of  the 
practicability  of  this  plan,  so  far  as  respected  the 
river,  three  frigates  passed  up  it  under  the  fire 
from  fort  Washington,  and  the  post  opposite  to 

*  See  Note,  JVb.  XIX.  at  the  end  of  the  -volume. 


496  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  viti.  it  on  the  Jersey  shore,  afterwards  denominated 
1776.    fort  Lee,  without  sustaining  any  injury  from 
October  °-  the  batteries,  or  being  at  all  impeded  by  the 
chevaux-de-frize  which  had  been  sunk  in  the 
channel,  between  those  forts.* 

This  point  being  attained,  he,  in  pursuance 
of  his  plan  either  to  force  Washington  out  of 
his  present  lines,   or  to  enclose  him  in  them, 
Twelfth,    embarked  a  great  part  of  his  army  on  board  flat- 
bottomed  boats,  and  passing  through  Hellgate 
The  enemy   into  the  Sound,  landed  at  Frogs'  neck,  not  far 

land  at 

Frogs' neck,  from  West  Chester  on  the  east,  on  Connecticut 
side  of  the  Sound,  and  about  nine  miles  from 
the  camp  on  the  heights  of  Haerlem. 

Frogs'  neck  is  completely  surrounded  by  the 
water,  which,  at  flood  tide,  is  unfordable ;  so 
that  it  is,  in  fact,  an  island  communicating 
with  the  main  land  by  bridges  thrown  over  the 
intervening  water.  These  bridges  were  broken 
down  by  the  Americans,  and  works  were  im- 
mediately thrown  up  to  obstruct  the  march  of 
the  enemy  from  their  present  encampment  into 
the  country.  General  Washington,  who  was 


*  The  command  of  the  upper  part  of  the  river,  at  all 
times  important  to  the  military  operations  in  that  quarter, 
was  rendered  peculiarly  interesting  by  the  certain  infor- 
mation, that  a  very  great  proportion  of  -the  inhabitants 
were  in  the  1'oyal  interest,  and  were  actually  meditating, 
an  insurrection  for  the  purpose  of  seizing  the  posts  in  the 
highlands;  to  prevent  which,  the  militia  of  New  Hamp- 
shire were  ordered  to  Fishkill, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  497 

well  aware  of  the  intention  with  which  general  CHAP.  vm. 
Howe  had  taken  this  new  position,  moved  a  1776. 
part  of  his  troops  from  York  island  to  join  those 
at  King's  bridge,  and  detached  some  regiments 
to  West  Chester,  for  the  purpose  of  opposing, 
and  skirmishing  with  the  enemy,  so  soon  as 
they  should  march  from  their  present  station. 
The  road  from  Frogs'  point  to  King's  bridge 
leads  through  a  strong  country,  intersected  in 
every  direction  by  numerous  stone  fences ;  so 
that  it  would  have  been  very  difficult  to  move 
artillery,  or  even  infantry,  in  compact  columns, 
except  along  the  main  road,  which  had  been 
broken  up  in  several  places.  The  general, 
therefore,  entertained  sanguine  hopes  of  the 
event,  should  a  direct  attack  be  made  on  his 
present  camp. 

General  Howe  continued  some  days,  quietly 
waiting  for  his  artillery,  military  stores,  and 
re-enforcements  from  Staten  island,  which 
were  detained  by  an  unfavourable  wind,  during 
which,  it  was  impracticable  to  pass  from  the 
East  river  into  the  Sound. 

In  the  mean  time,  as  the  habits  of  thinking 
in  America  absolutely  required  that  every  im- 
portant measure  should  be  the  result  of  consul- 
tation, and  should  receive  the  approbation  of  a 
majority;  a  council  of  general  officers  was  October ie. 
called,  and  the  propriety  of  removing  the  Ame- 
rican army  from  its  present  position  laid  before 
them.  The  obstructions  in  the  North  river 

VOL.    II.  3   S 


498  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  viii.  having  proved  insufficient  to  stop  the  ships, 
1776.  and  the  British  having  landed,  in  full  force,  at 
Frogs'  neck,  on  the  east  of  the  Sound;  it  was, 
after  much  investigation,  declared  to  be  im- 
practicable, without  a  change  of  position,  to 
prevent  the  enemy  from  cutting  off  their  com- 
munication with  the  country,  and  compelling 
them,  either  to  fight  under  great  disadvantages, 
or  to  surrender  themselves  prisoners  of  war. 
General  Lee,  who  had  but  two  days  before 
joined  the  grand  army,  and  whose  experience, 
as  well  as  his  late  success,  gave  him  great 
weight,  maintained  this  opinion  with  peculiar 
earnestness ;  and  general  Clinton  was  the  only 
officer  dissenting  from  it.  At  the  same  time, 

The  Ameri-  ft  was  determined  still  to  hold  fort  Washington, 

can  army 

YoritlStani  and  to  defend  that  post  as  long  as  possible. 
The  hope  was  still  cherished,  that,  by  increas- 
ing the  obstructions  in  the  river,  ships  might 
be  prevented  from  passing  them ;  and  the 
object  was  deemed  so  all  important,  as  to  jus- 
tify considerable  hazard  in  the  attempt  to  secure 
it.  The  resolution  of  congress  of  the  llth  of 
October,  desiring  general  Washington,  by 
every  art  and  expense,  to  obstruct  if  possible 
the  navigation  of  the  river,  contributed,  not 
inconsiderably,  to  the  determination  for  main- 
taining this  post.  The  necessary  measures 
were  now  taken  for  moving  the  army,  so  as  to 
extend  its  front,  or  left,  up  the  North  river 
towards  the  White  Plains,  beyond  the  right  of 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  499 

the  enemy,   and  thus  keep  perfectly  open  its  CHAP,  vm. 
communication  with  the  country.     The  right     1775. 
or  rear  division  remained  a  few  days    about 
King's  bridge  under  the  command  of  general 
Lee,  in  order  to  cover  and  secure  the  heavy 
baggage  and  military  stores,  which,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  extreme  difficulty  of  obtaining 
waggons,   could  be  but  slowly  removed  to  a 
place  of  safety. 

Having  received  the  expected  re-enforce-  October  is. 
ments,  which  landed  at  Pell's  point,  to  which 
place  he  also  transported  the  troops  from  Frogs' 
neck,  and  brought  up  his  military  stores  ; 
general  Howe  moved  forward  his  whole  army, 
except  four  brigades  destined  for  the  defence 
of  New  York,  through  Pelham's  manor,  towards 
New  Rochelle.  Some  skirmishes  took  place 
on  the  march,  near  East  Chester,  with  a  part 
of  Glover's  brigade,  in  which  the  conduct  of 
the  Americans  was  mentioned  \vith  satisfaction 
by  the  commander  in  chief;  and  as  general 
Howe  took  post  at  New  Rochelle,  a  village  on  Twenty-first 
the  Sound;  general  Washington  occupied  the 
heights  between  that  place  and  the  North  river. 

At  New  Rochelle,  the  British  army  was 
joined  by  the  second  division  of  Germans  under 
the  command  of  general  Knyphausen,  and  by 
an  incomplete  regiment  of  cavalry  from  Ireland; 
some  of  whom  with  one  of  the  transports  had 
been  captured  on  their  passage.  Both  armies 
now  moved  towards  the  White  Plains,  a  strong 
3s  2 


500  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vni  piece  of  ground  where  a  large  camp  had  beeil 
1776.  marked  out,  and  was  already  occupied  by  a 
detachment  of  militia  sent  for  the  particular 
purpose  of  guarding  some  magazines  of  provi- 
sions which  had  been  there  collected.  The 
main  body  of  the  American  troops  formed  a 
long  line  of  intrenched  camps,  extending  from 
twelve  to  thirteen  miles,  on  the  different  heights 
from  Valentine's  hill,  near  King's  bridge,  to 
the  White  Plains  ;  fronting  the  British  line  of 
march,  and  the  Brunx,  which  lay  between 
them,  so  as  to  collect  in  full  force  at  any  point, 
as  circumstances  might  require.  The  motions 
of  the  enemy  were  anxiously  watched,  not  only 
for  the  purposes  of  security,  and  of  avoiding  a 
general  action,  but  in  order  to  seize  every  occa- 
sion which  might  present  itself,  of  engaging  any 
of  their  out  posts  with  advantage.  While  their 
army  lay  about  New  Rochelle,  major  Rodgers, 
with  his  regiment,  was  advanced  further  east- 
ward to  Mamaraneck,  on  the  Sound,  where  he 
was  believed  to  be  in  a  great  degree  covered  by 
the  position  of  the  other  troops.  An  attempt 
was  made  to  surprise  him  in  the  night,  by  a 
detachment  which  should  pass  between  him 
and  the  main  body  of  the  British  army,  and  by 
a  coup  de  main  bear  off  his  whole  corps. 
Although  the  plan  was  well  formed,  and  major 
Rodgers  was  actually  surprised  ;  yet  the  at- 
tempt did  not  completely  succeed.  About  sixty 
of  the  enemy  were  killed' and  taken,  and  about 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  501 

ihe    same   number   of  muskets,   with   several 


blankets  were  brought  off.  The  loss  of  the  1775. 
Americans  was  only  two  killed,  and  eight  or  ten 
wounded  :  among  the  latter  was  major  Green 
of  Virginia,  a  very  brave  officer,  who  led  the 
advanced  party,  and  who  received  a  ball  through 
his  body. 

Not  long  afterwards  a  regiment  of  Pennsyl- 
vania riflemen,  under  colonel  Hand,  fell  in  with 
and  engaged  about  an  equal  number  of  Hessian 
chasseurs,  over  whom  they  obtained  some 
advantage. 

The  caution  of  the  English  general  was  in- 
creased by  these  evidences  of  enterprise  in  his 
adversary.  His  object  seems  to  have  been  to 
avoid  skirmishing,  and  to  bring  on  a  general 
action,  if  that  could  be  effected  under  favour- 
able circumstances  ;  if  not,  he  knew  well  the 
approaching  dissolution  of  the  American  army, 
and  calculated,  not  without  reason,  to  derive 
from  that  event  nearly  all  the  advantages  of  a 
victory.  He  proceeded  therefore  slowly.  His 
marches  were  in  close  order,  his  encampments 
compact,  and  well  guarded  with  artillery;  and 
the  utmost  circumspection  was  used  not  to 
expose  any  part  which  might  be  vulnerable.  q 

As  the  sick  and  baggage  reached  a  place  of 
safety,  general  Washington  gradually  drew  in  _ 


his  out  posts,  and  took  possession  of  the  heights  October25- 


Annual  Register. 


502  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vui.  on  the  east  side  of  the  Brunx  fronting  the  head 
1776.    of  the  enemy's  columns.     The  next  day  he  was 

October  35.  joined  by  general  Lee,  who,  with  very  consi- 
derable address,  had  brought  up  the  rear  divi- 
sion, after  the  sick  and  the  whole  baggage  of 
the  army  had  been  secured ;  an  operation  the 
more  difficult,  as  the  deficiency  of  teams  was 
very  great,  in  consequence  of  which  a  large 
portion  of  the  labour  usually  performed  by 
horses,  or  oxen,  devolved  on  men. 

General  Washington  was  encamped  on  high 
broken  grounds  with  his  right  flank  covered  by 
the  Brunx,  which  meandered  so  as  also  to  cover 
the  front  of  his  right  wing  which  extended 
along  the  road  leading  down  on  the  east  side  of 
that  river,  towards  New  Rochelle  as  far  as  the 
brow  of  the  hill  where  his  centre  was  posted. 
His  left,  which  formed  almost  a  right  angle  with 
his  centre,  and  was  nearly  parallel  to  his  right, 
extended  along  the  hills  northwardly,  so  as  to 
keep  possession  of  the  commanding  ground, 
and  secure  a  retreat  should  it  be  necessary, 
from  his  present  position,  to  one  still  more 
advantageous  in  his  rear. 

On  the  right  of  the  army,  and  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Brunx,  about  one  mile  from  camp, 
on  the  road  leading  from  the  North  river,  was 
a  hill,  of  which  general  M'Dougal  was  ordered 
to  take  possession,  for  the  purpose  of  .covering 
the  right  flank.  His  detachment  consisted  of 
about  sixteen  hundred  men,  principally  militia, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  503 

and  his  communication  with  the  main  army  was  CHAP,  vm. 
perfectly  open,    that   part  of  the   river  being    1776. 
every  where  passable  without  any  difficulty. 

Hasty  intrenchments  were  thrown  up  to 
strengthen,  as  much  as  time  would  admit, 
every  part  of  the  lines  ;  and  make  them  as 
defensible  as  possible. 

The  enemy,  who  had  advanced  from  New 
Rochelle  and  Mamaraneck,    and  were  within 
seven  or  eight  miles  of  the  White  Plains,  now  October  28. 
made  arrangements  to  attack  sreneral  Washing:-  Battle  of  *e 

0  m  °     WhitePlains. 

ton  in  his  camp.  Early  in  the  morning  they 
advanced  in  two  columns,  the  right  commanded 
by  sir  Henry  Clinton,  and  the  left  by  general 
Knyphausen,  accompanied  by  general  Howe 
in  person.  Their  advanced  parties  having  en- 
countered, and  driven  in  the  patrols  they  fell 
in  with  on  the  march,  their  van  appeared,  about 
ten  o'clock,  in  full  view  of  the  American  lines, 
and  a  cannonade  commenced  without  much 
execution  on  either  side. 

The  right  of  the  enemy  formed  behind  a 
rising  ground  about  a  mile  in  front  of  the  camp, 
and  extended  from  the  road  leading  from 
Mamaraneck  towards  the  Brunx,  so  that  it 
was  opposed  to  the  centre  of  the  American 
army. 

On  viewing  general  Washington's  situation, 
general  Howe  determined  to  possess  himself 
of  the  hill  occupied  by  M'Dougal,  which  he 
considered  as  important  to  the  success  of  an 


504  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vin.  attack  on  the  centre  and  right  of  the  American 
1776.  camp.  He  therefore  directed  colonel  Rawle 
with  a  brigade  of  Hessians  which  he  com- 
manded, to  cross  the  Brunx  and  make  a  cir- 
cuit so  as  to  gain  a  position  from  which  he 
might  annoy  the  right  flank  of  general 
M'Dougal,  while  brigadier  general  Leslie  with 
the  second  brigade  of  British  troops,  the  Hes- 
sian grenadiers  under  colonel  Donop,  and  a 
Hessian  battalion,  should  attack  him  in  front. 
When  colonel  Rawle  had  gained  the  position 
he  had  been  ordered  to  take,  the  detachment 
under  the  command  of  general  Leslie  also 
crossed  the  Brunx,  and  commenced  a  very 
vigorous  attack  on  the  -  Americans/  The 
militia  immediately  fled,  but  the  attack  was 
sustained  by  the  regulars  with  great  gallantry. 
Colonel  Smallwood's  regiment  of  Maryland, 
and  colonel  Reitzimar's  of  New  York,  advanced 
boldly  towards  the  foot  of  the  hill  to  meet  them ; 
but  after  a  sharp  encounter,  those  regiments 
were  overpowered  by  numbers  and  compelled 
to  retreat.  The  enemy  advanced  with  great 
resolution  on  the  remaining  part  of  M'Dougal's 
forces,  consisting  of  his  own  brigade,  the 
Delaware  battalion,  and  a  small  regiment  of 
Connecticut  militia,  who  were  soon  driven 
from  the  hill,  but  who  kept  up  for  some  time 
an  irregular  engagement  from  the  stone  walls, 


r  General  Howe's  U-ticr. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  505 

and  other  enclosures  about  the  scene  of  action.  CHAP.  vm. 
General  Putnam,  with  general  Beal's  brigade,     1776. 
was  ordered  to  their  support,  but  not  having 
arrived  while  they  were  in  possession  of  the 
hill,    it  was   deemed  improper  to  attempt  to 
regain  it,  and  the  troops  retreated  to  the  main 
army. 

In  this  engagement,  which,  during  its  con- 
tinuance, was  very  animated  on  both  sides,  the 
loss  was  supposed  to  have  been  about  equal. 
That  of  the  Americans  was  between  three  and 
four  hundred  in  killed,  wounded,  and  taken. 
Colonel  Smalhvood  was  among  the  wounded. 

General  Washington  continued  in  his  lines 
expecting  an  attack  ;  to  prepare  for  which  his 
sick  and  baggage  were  removed  into  his  rear ; 
but  as  a  considerable  part  of  the  day  had  been 
exhausted  in  gaining  the  hill  which  had  been 
occupied  by  M'Dougal,  all  attempts  on  his 
intrenchments  were  postponed  until  the  next 
morning,  and  the  whole  British  army  lay  on 
their  arms  the  following  night,  in  order  of 
battle,  and  on  the  ground  they  had  taken 
during  the  day. 

The  night  was  employed  by  general  Wash- 
ington in  strengthening  his  works,  removing 
his  sick  and  baggage,  and  preparing,  by  chang- 
ing the  arrangement  of  his  troops,  for  the 
expected  attack.  His  left  maintained  its  posi- 
tion, but  his  right  was  drawn  back  to  stronger 
ground.  Perceiving  this,  and  being  unwilling 

VOL.  IT.  3  T 


506  THE  LIFE  OF 

'  vin.  to  leave  any  thing  to  hazard,  Howe  resolved  to 

1776.  postpone  further  offensive  operations  until  lord 
Percy  should  arrive  with  four  battalions  from 
New  York,  and  two  from  the  post  at  Mama- 

ctober  3o.  raneck.  This  re-enforcement  was  received  on 
the  evening  of  the  30th,  and  preparations  were 
then  made  for  the  attack  next  morning.  In 
the  night,  however,  and  during  the  early  part 
of  the  succeeding  day,  a  violent  rain  fell  which 
induced  a  further  postponement  of  the  assault.5 
The  provisions,  and  heavy  baggage  of  the 
army,  being  now  removed  to  much  stronger 
grounds,  and  apprehending  that  the  enemy, 
whose  left  wing,  on  the  height  taken  from 
general  M'Dougal,  extended  to  his  rear,  might 
turn  his  camp,  and  occupy  the  strong  grounds 
to  which  he  designed  to  retreat,  if  an  attempt 
on  his  lines  should  terminate  unfortunately, 
general  Washington  changed  his  position  in 
the  night  and  withdrew  to  the  heights  of  North 
Castle,  about  five  miles  from  the  White  Plains. 

ovember  i.  At  the  same  time  he  detached  general  Deal's 
brigade  to  take  possession  of  the  bridge  on 
Croton  river,  which  lay  a  few  miles  in  his 
rear,  and  over  which  is  the  road  leading  up 
the  Hudson. 

His  present  position  was  so  strong  that  an 
attempt  to  force  it  was  deemed  imprudent,  and 
general  Howe  determined  to.  change.' entirely 

3  General  Howe's  letter* 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

his  plan  of  operations,  and  to  give  a  new  direc-  CHAP.  vm. 
tion  to  his  efforts/  1776. 

It  has  been  already  stated,  that  the  anxiety 
to  preserve,  if  possible,  the  navigation  of  the 
Hudson  above  King's  bridge,  had  induced  the 
American  general  to  maintain  the  posts  of  forts 
Washington  and  Lee,  on  both  sides  that  river. 
These  posts,  while  held  by  the  Americans, 
checked  very  essentially  the  movements  of 
general  Howe,  who  very  justly  deemed  the 
complete  possession  of  York  island  an  object 
of  too  much  importance  to  be  longer  neglected. 
With  a  view  to  the  acquisition  of  them  he 
directed  general  Knyphausen  to  cross  the 
country  from  New  Rochelle,  and  to  take  pos- 
session of  King's  bridge,  where  a  small  party 
of  Americans  were  stationed  in  fort  Indepen- 
dence. This  he  eifected  without  opposition. 
On  his  approach  the  Americans  retired  to  fort 
Washington,  and  Knyphausen  entered  York 
island,  and  encamped  to  the  north  of  fort 
Washington,  between  that  place  and  King's 
bridge. 

In  the  mean  time  general  Howe  broke  up  his    NOV.  s. 
camp  at  the  White  Plains,    and  marched  to  The  British 

t  -iii      army  returns 

Dobbs'  ferry,  from  whence  he  retired  slowly  ^.K^S     ( 
down  the  North  river  towards  King's  bridge. 
The  American  general  was  immediately  aware 

of  his  views  on  fort  Washington  and  the  Jer- 

j-^ — 

r  General  Hoive'a  letter. 

3j  2 


508  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vni.  seys ;  but,  apprehending  the  possibility  of  his 
1776.  returning  suddenly,  and  endeavouring  by  a 
rapid  movement,  to  execute  the  original  plan 
of  getting  in  his  rear,  he  observed  great 
caution ;  and  maintained  his  position  about  the 
White  Plains,  until  he  was  assured  by  the 
information  given  by  parties  detached  to  watch 
the  enemy,  and  harass  him  on  his  march,  that 
the  movement  towards  King's  bridge  was  not 
a  feint. 

As  on  the  first  movement  of  the  British  army 
towards  New  York,  general  Washington  had 
perceived  the  necessity  of  throwing  a  part  of 
his  troops  into  New  Jersey,  should  the  design 
of  the  enemy  be  as  he  apprehended,  to  change 
NOV.  e.  the  scene  of  action,  a  council  of  war  was  im- 
mediately called.  In  this  council  it  was  deter- 
mined unanimously,  that,  should  general  Howe 
continue  his  march  towards  New  York,  all  the 
troops  raised  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson, 
should  cross  that  river,  to  be  afterwards  fol- 
lowed by  the  eastern  troops,  should  the  opera- 
tions of  the  enemy  render  it  necessary.  For 
the  preservation  of  the  high  lands  about  the 
North  river,  three  thousand  men  were  to  be 
stationed  at  Peck's-Kill,  and  in  the  passes  of 
the  mountains. 

In  a  letter  to  congress,  communicating  the 
present  movement  of  the  enemy,  and  the  de- 
termination of  the  council,  the  general  said, 
(f  I  cannot  indulge  the  idea  that  general  Howe, 
supposing  him  to  be  going  to  New  York, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  509 

means  to  close  the  campaign,  and  to  sit  down  CHAP.  VUL 
without  attempting  something  more.     I  think     1776. 
it  highly  probable,  and  almost  certain,  that  he 
will  make  a  descent  with  part  of  his  troops  into 
the  Jerseys,  and,   as  soon  as  I  am  satisfied  that 
the  present  manoeuvre  is  real,  and  not  a  feint, 
I  shall  use  all  the  means  in  my  power  to  for- 
ward a  part  of  our    force    to    counteract   his 
designs. 

"  I  expect  the  enemy  will  bend  their  force 
against  fort  Washington,  and  invest  it  imme- 
diately. From  some  advices  it  is  an  object 
that  will  attract  their  earliest  attention." 

He  also  addressed  a  letter  to  mr.  Livingston, 
the  governor  of  New  Jersey,  advising  him  of 
the  movement  made  by  the  enemy,  and  giving 
it  as  his  decided  opinion  that  general  Howe 
would  not  content  himself  with  investing  fort 
Washington,  but  would  incontestably  invade 
the  Jerseys.  He  urged  him  to  put  the  militia 
in  the  best  possible  condition  to  re-enforce  the 
continental  army,  and  take  the  place  of  the  new 
levies,  a  term  designating  a  body  of  men 
between  militia  and  regulars,  raised  under  the 
resolution  of  congress  to  serve  until  the  first  of 
December,  and  \vho  could  not  be  depended  on 
to  continue  with  the  army  one  day  longer  than 
the  time  for  which  they  were  engaged.  He 
also  pressed,  very  earnestly,  the  removal  from 
the  seacoast  and  the  neighbourhood  of  New 
York,  of  all  the  stock  and  other  provisions  of 
which  the  enemy  might  avail  himself. 


510  THE  LIFE  OF 

ctf  AP.  VIIT.  Immediate  intelligence  of  this  movement  was 
1776.  likewise  given  to  general  Greene,  who  com- 
manded in  the  Jerseys,  and  his  attention  was 
particularly  called  to  fort  Washington.  He  was 
also  advised  to  increase  his  magazines  about 
Princeton,  and  diminish  those  near  New  York, 
as  experience  had  demonstrated  the  extreme 
difficulty  of  removing  them  on  the  advance  of 
the  enemy.  Some  apprehension  was  also  en- 
tertained that  Howe  would  attempt  to  cross  at 
Dobbs'  ferry,  and  envelop  the  troops  about 
fort  Lee  as  well  as  fort  Washington.  Of  this 
too  general  Greene  was  advised,  who  thereupon 
drew  in  his  parties  from  about  Amboy,  and 
posted  a  body  of  troops  on  the  heights  to 
defend  the  passage  at  Dobbs'  ferry. 

As  the  British  army  approached  King's 
bridge,  three  of  their  ships  of  war  passed  up 
the  North  river,  by  the  forts  Washington  and 
Lee,  notwithstanding  their  fire,  and  notwith- 
standing the  additional  obstructions  which  had 
been  placed  in  the  channel. 

On  being  informed  of  this,    another   letter 

Nov- 8-  wras  addressed  to  general  Greene,  in  which  it 
was  stated,  that  this  fact  was  so  plain  a  proof 
of  the  inefficacy  of  all  the  obstructions  thrown 
in  the  river,  as  to  justify  a  change  in  the  dis- 
positions which  had  been  made.  "If,"  pro- 
ceeded the  letter,  "  we  cannot  prevent  vessels 
from  passing  up,  and  the  enemy  are  possessed  of 
the  surrounding  country,  what  valuable  purpose 
can  it  answer,  to  attempt  to  hold  a  post  from 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  511 

which  the  expected  benefit  cannot  be  derived  ?  CHAP,  vm. 
I  am,  therefore,  inclined  to  think  it  will  not  be 
prudent  to  hazard  the  men  and  stores  at  Mount 
Washington ;  but  as  you  are  on  the  spot,  I 
leave  it  to  you  to  give  such  orders  respecting 
the  evacuation  of  the  place,  as  you  may  think 
most  advisable ;  and  so  far  revoke  the  orders 
given  colonel  Magaw  to  defend  it  to  the  last." 

He,  in  this  letter,  repeated  his  instructions 
to  drive  the  stock,  and  destroy  the  hay,  grain, 
and  other  provisions,  which  the  inhabitants 
would  not  remove  from  the  coast.  "  The 
enemy,"  he  added,  "  have  drawn  great  relief, 
from  the  forage  and  provisions,  they  have 
found  in  the  country,  and  which  our  tenderness 
had  spared.  You  will  do  well  to  prevent  their 
receiving  any  fresh  supplies,  by  destroying  it, 
if  it  cannot  be  removed.  Experience  has 
shown  that  a  contrary  conduct  is  not  of  the 
least  advantage  to  the  poor  inhabitants,  from 
whom  all  their  effects  of  every  kind  are  taken 
without  distinction,  and  without  satisfaction." 

Measures  were  now  taken  to  cross  the  North 
river  with  the  troops  which  had  been  raised  on 
its  western  side,  and  general  Washington  him- 
self determined  to  accompany  that  division  of 
the  army.  The  eastern  regiments  remained  on 
the  eastern  side  of  the  North  river,  under  the 
command  of  general  Lee,  who  had  orders  to 
join  the  commander  in  chief,  if  the  enemy 
should  move  the  whole,  or  the  greater  part  of 


512  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  viii.  their  force,  to  the  west  of  the  Hudson.  In  the 
1776.  mean  time,  as  it  was  yet  thought  possible  that 
the  enemy  might  strike  at  this  division  of  the 
army,  he  v/as  advised  to  retire  further  into  the 
country,  and  to  take  possession  of  the  strong 
grounds  behind  the  Croton,  at  Pine's  bridge. 

Having  visited  the  posts  about  Peck's-Kill 
in  the  highlands,  and  made  all  the  arrangements 
in  his  power  for  their  defence,  an  object 

And  general  always    deemed    of    the    utmost   importance, 

Washington  ' 

ofhVarmy  general  •  Washington  passed   the   North  river 
NonhViver.  in  the  rear  of  the  troops  designed  to  act  imme- 
Nov  1?.    diately   in    the   Jerseys,    and    joined    general 
~  Greene  at  his  quarters  near  fort  Lee. 

From  too  great  a  confidence  in  the  strength 
of  the  post  at  fort  Washington,  and  a  hope  that 
by  still  further  increasing  the  obstructions  in 
the  North  river,  the  original  object  for  which 
that  place  had  been  fortified,  might  yet  be 
obtained ;  from  an  unwillingness,  too,  further 
to  discourage  the;~army  by  an  evacuation  of 
posts,  general  Greene  had  not  withdrawn  the 
garrison  under vthe  discretionary  orders  he  had 
received  on  thftt  'subject ;  but  still  indulged  a 
hope  that  the  post  might  be  maintained ;  or,  if 
its  situation  .should  Become  desperate,  that 
means  might  then  be  found  t6-.  transport  the 
troops  across  the  river  f  6v  the  Jersey  shore, 
»  which  was  defended  by  fort  Lee.  .  ' 

j 

Fort  Washington  is  on:a  very  high  piece  of 
rocky  ground  near  the  North  river,  very  diffi- 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  5^3 

cult  of  ascent,  especially  towards  the  north  or  CHAP.  vm. 
King's  bridge.  The  fort  was  capable  of  con,  1776, 
taining  about  one  thousand  men;  but  the  lines 
and  out  works,  which  were  chiefly  on  the 
southern  side,  towards  New  York,  were  drawn 
quite  across  the  island.  The  ground  was 
naturally  very  strong,  the  approaches  difficult, 
and  the  fortifications,  though  not  sufficient  to 
resist  heavy  artillery,  were  believed  to  be  in  a 
condition  which  would  prevent  any  attempt  to 
carry  them  by  storm.  The  garrison  consisted 
of  troops,  some  of  whom  were  among  the  best 
in  the  American  army,  and  the  command  was 
given  to  colonel  Magaw,  a  brave  and  intelligent 
officer,  in  whose  courage  and  skill,  great  con- 
fidence was  placed. 

General  Howe,  who  had  retired  slowly  from 
the  White  Plains,  encamped  at  a  small  dis- 
tance from  King's  bridge,  on  the  heights  of 
Fordham,  with  his  right  towards  the  North 
river,  and  his  left  on  the  Brtinx.  Works  were 
erected  on  Haerlem  creek,  to  play  on  the  op-  NOV.  13. 
posite  works  of  the  Americans ;  and,  every 
thing  being  prepared,  the  garrison  wras  sum- 
moned to  surrender  on  pain  of  being  put  to  the 
sword.  Colonel  Magaw  replied  that  he  should 
defend  the  place  to  the  last  extremity,  and  the 
summons  he  had  received  was  immediately  Fi{'teenth- 
communicated  -to  general  Greene  at  fort  Lee, 
and  by  him  to  the  commander  in  chief  who 
was  then  at  Hackensack.  He  immediately  rode 
VOL.  n.  3  u 


514  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vni.  to  fort  Lee,  and  was  proceeding,  though  it 
1776.  was  then  late  in  the  night,  to  fort  Washington, 
where  he  expected  to  find  generals  Putnam  and 
Greene ;  when,  in  crossing  the  river  to  fort 
Washington,  he  met  those  officers  returning 
from  visiting  that  post.  They  reported  that 
the  troops  were  in  high  spirits,  and  would  make 
a  good  defence,  on  which  he  returned  with 
them  to  fort  Lee. 

Early  next  morning  colonel  Magaw  posted 
his  troops  partly  in  the  lines  drawn  across  the 
NOV.  is.  island  on  the  south  of  the  fort;  partly  between 
the  lines,  on  the  woody  and  rocky  heights 
fronting  the  East  river,  where  the  works  were 
not  closed;  and  partly  on  a  commanding  hill, 
lying  north  of  the  fort.  Colonel  Cadwallader 
of  Pennsylvania  commanded  in  the  lines, 
colonel  Rawlings  of  Maryland  commanded  on 
•  the  hill  towards  King's  bridge  where  his  regi- 
ment of  riflemen  was  posted  among  trees,  and 
colonel  Magaw  himself  continued  in  the  fort. 

Notwithstanding  the  strength  of  the  place, 
the  British  general  resolved  to  carry  it  by  storm. 
He  was  induced  to  this  determination  by  a  wish 
to  save  time,  which,  at  this  late  season  of  the 
year,  was  an  object  not  to  be  overlooked;  and 
preparations  were  made  for  a  vigorous  attack 
early  in  the  morning.  About  ten  o'clock  the 
enemy  appeared,  and  moved  on  to  the  assault 
in  four  different  quarters.  Their  first  division, 
consisting  of  two  columns  of  Hessians  and 
Waldeckers,  amounting  to  about  five  thousand 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  515 

men,  under  the  command  of  general  Knyphau-  CHAP,  vm. 
sen,  advanced  on  the  north  side  of  the  works  1776. 
against  the  hill  where  colonel  Rawlings  com- 
manded, who  received  them  with  great  gal- 
lantry. The  second,  on  the  east,  consisting 
of  the  first  and  second  battalions  of  British  light 
infantry,  and  two  battalions  of  guards,  was  led 
on  by  brigadier  general  Mathews,  supported  by 
lord  Cornwallis  at  the  head  of  the  first  and 
second  battalions  of  grenadiers,  and  the  thirty- 
third  regiment.  These  troops  crossed  the  East 
river  in  boats,  under  cover  of  the  artillery  planted 
in  works  which  had  been  erected  for  this  pur- 
pose on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and 
landed  within  the  second  line  of  defence  which 
crossed  the  island.  The  third  division  was 
conducted  by  lieutenant  colonel  Stirling  who 
passed  the  East  river  lower  down;  and  the 
fourth  by  lord  Percy,  accompanied  by  general 
Howe  in  person.  This  division  was  to  attack 
the  lines  in  front,  on  the  south  side.u 

The  attacks  on  the  north,  and  south,  by 
general  Knyphausen  and  lord  Percy,  were  made 
about  the  same  instant  on  colonels  Rawlings 
and  Cadwallader,  who  maintained  their  ground 
for  a  considerable  time;  but  while  colonel 
Cadwallader  was  engaged  in  the  first  line 
against  lord  Percy  on  the  south,  the  second  and 
third  divisions  of  the  enemy,  which  had  crossed 

u  General  Howe's  letter. 
3u  2 


THE  LIFE  O? 

CHAP.  vni.  the  East  river,  made  good  their  landing  and 
1776.  soon  dispersed  the  troops  fronting  that  river* 
as  well  as  a  detachment  sent  by  colonel  Cad- 
wallader  to  support  them;  These  being  over- 
powered, he  deemed  it  necessary  to  abandon 
the  lines,  and  a  retreat  was  commenced  towards 
the  fort,  which,  being  conducted  with  confu- 
sion>  a  part  of  his  men  were  intercepted  by  the 
division  under  colonel  Stirling,  and  made 
prisoners;  The  resistance  on  the  north  was 
conducted  with  more  courage,  and  was  of 
longer  duration.  Rawlings  maintained  his 
ground  with  firmness,  and  his  riflemen  did  vast 
execution*  The  Germans  were  repulsed  several 
times  with  great  loss;  and,  had  every  other  part 
of  the  action  been  equally  well  maintained,  the 
enemy  >  if  ultimately  successful,  would  have 
had  much  reason  to  deplore  their  victory.  The 
liessian  columns  by  dint  of  perseverance  and 
numbers,  at  length  gained  the  summit  of  the 
hill,  and  colonel  Rawlings^  who  perceived  the 
danger  which  threatened  his  rear,  retreated  un- 
der the  guns  of  the  fort. 

Having  now  carried  the  lines  and  all  the 
strong  ground  adjoining,   the  British  general 

*~ 


fort  Washing-  .  ..  .. 

ton  carried    again  summoned  colonel  Magaw  to  surrender. 

thTg^risoli  ^Vhile  the  capitulation  was  progressing,  general 

^Siere.     Washington  sent  him  a  billet  requesting  him  to 

hold  out  until  the  evening,    when  he  would 

endeavour  to  bring  off  the  garrison  ;  but  colonel 

Magaw  had  already  proceeded  too  far  to  retract, 

atid  it  is  probable  the  jplace  could  not  have 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  517 

resisted  an  assault  from  so  formidable  a  force  CHAP,  vnt. 
as  now  threatened  it  on  every  side.    The  most     1776. 
essential   difficulties   had  been   overcome,  the 
fort  was  too  small  to  contain  all  the  men,  and 
their  ammunition  was  nearly  exhausted 4  Under 
these  circumstances,  the  garrison  surrendered 
prisoners  of  war. 

The  loss  on  this  occasion  was,  perhaps,  the 
greatest  the  Americans  had  ever  experienced. 
The  garrison  was  stated  by  general  Washing- 
ton at  about  two  thousand  men ;  yet,  in  a  report 
published  as  from  general  Howe,  the  number 
of  prisoners  is  stated  at  two  thousand  six  hun- 
dred, exclusive  of  officers.  If  this  report  was 
genuine,  either  general  Howe  must  have  in- 
cluded in  its  persons,  who  were  not  soldiers, 
or  general  Washington  in  his  letter  must  have 
comprised  only  the  regulars.  The  last  conjee^- 
ture  is  most  probably  correct.  The  loss  of  the 
enemy  is  stated  by  mr.  Stedman,  in  his  history 
of  the  war,  at  about  eight  hundred  men.  This 
losi  fell  heaviest  on  the  Germans.* 

*  Had  the  front  towards  East  river  been  defended  with 
as  much  gallantry  as  the  hill  on  the  north,  the  enemy 
would  probably  have  been  repulsed,  and  would  certainly 
have  sustained  so  heavy  a  loss  as  very  essentially  to  have 
affected  their  ulterior  operations.  But  among  raw  troops, 
however  great  the  exertions  of  many  may  be,  there  must 
ever  be  found  a  defect  of  courage  in  some  one  point,  which 
must  defeat  any  general  plan.  This  results  from  the  cir- 
cumstance that  their  conduct  depends  more  on  individual 
firmness,  than  on  habits  of  discipline. 


518  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  viu.      The  surrender  of  fort  Washington  produced 

1776.    a  determination  to  evacuate  fort  Lee,  and  a 

Evacuation    removal  of  the  stores  to  the  interior  of  Jersey 

«f  fort  Lee. 

was  immediately  commenced.  Before  this 
could  be  possibly  completed,  a  large  body  of 
the  enemy,  consisting  of  two  battalions  of 
British,  three  of  Hessian  grenadiers,  two  of 
light  infantry,  the  guards,  the  chasseurs,  the 
royal  highlanders,  the  thirty-third  regiment, 
and  a  detachment  of  the  queen's  light  dragoons, 
conjectured  to  amount  altogether  to  about  six 

thousand  men,  under  lord  Cornwallis,  crossed 

Nov- 18-  the  North  river  below  Dobbs'  ferry,  and  endea- 
voured, by  a  rapid  march,  to  enclose  the  gar- 
rison of  fort  Lee  between  the  North  and  Hack- 
ensack  rivers.  On  the  first  intelligence  of  their 
approach,  it  was  determined  to  meet  and  fight 
them;  but  it  was  soon  discovered  that  their 
force  was  too  great  to  be  encountered.  It  was 
also  perceived  that  they  were  extending  them- 
selves across  the  country,  so  as  to  surround 
the  Americans.  It  was  therefore  deemed  ne- 
cessary to  withdraw  the  garrison,  with  the 
utmost  possible  dispatch,  from  the  narrow 
neck  of  land  between  the  Hudson  and  Hacken- 
sack;  and,  with  considerable  difficulty,  their 
retreat  was  effected  over  a  bridge  on  the  latter 
river.  At  fort  Lee  all  the  heavy  cannon,  ex- 
cept two  twelve  pounders,  and  a  considerable 
quantity  of  provisions,  and  military  stores, 
including  three  hundred  tents,  were  lost.  The 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  519 

great  difficulty  experienced  on  this,  and  on  all  CHAP,  vm. 
other  occasions,  in  obtaining  waggons  for  the     1776. 
removal  of  stores,  and  baggage,  rendered  this 
loss  inevitable. 

General  Washington  now  took  post  along  the 
Hackensack,  but  it  was  impossible  to  dispute 
its  passage.  He  was  now  in  a  level  country, 
without  a  single  intrenching  tool;  at  the  head 
of  an  army  consisting  of  about  three  thousand 
effectives,  exposed  without  tents  to  the  incle- 
ment season  which  already  prevailed;  among 
people  by  no  means  zealous  in  the  American 
cause ;  and  in  other  respects,  his  present  situ- 
ation was  a  dangerous  one. 

This  gloomy  state  of  things  was  not  bright- 
ened by  the  prospect  before  him.  In  casting 
his  eyes  around,  no  cheering  object  presented 
itself.  No  safe  reliance  could  be  placed  on 
re-enforcements  to  be  drawn  from  any  quarter. 
He  however  made  every  possible  exertion  to 
collect  an  army,  and,  in  the  mean  time,  to  im- 
pede as  much  as  possible  the  progress  of  the 
enemy.  General  Carleton  having  retired  from 
before  Ticonderoga,  he  directed  general  Schuy- 
ler  to  send  to  his  aid,  with  the  utmost  possible 
dispatch,  the  troops  of  Pennsylvania  and  Jersey, 
which  had  been  attached  to  the  northern  army. 
But  the  march  was  long,  their  terms  of  service 
had  nearly  expired,  and  they  had  refused  to 
re-inlist.  General  Lee  was  directed  to  cross 
the  North  river  and  to  hold  himself  in  readiness, 


520  THE  LIFE  OF 

CKAP.  vni.  jf  the  enemy  should  continue  the  campaign,  to 
1776.    join  the  commander  in  chief;*  but  his  army 
NOV.  21.    too  was  melting  away,  under  the  influence  of 
the  same  fatal  cause  which  had  acted  so  uni- 
versally and  so  banefully,  and  would  soon  be 
weakness  of  almost  totally  dissolved.  General  Mercer,  who 

the  American 

army.  commanded  a  part  of  the  flying  camp  stationed 
about  Bergen,  was  also  called  in;  but  these 
troops  had  only  engaged  to  serve  until  the  first 
of  December ;  and,  like  the  other  six  months 
men,  had  already  abandoned  the  army  in  great 
numbers.  No  hope  existed  of  retaining  the 
remnant  of  them  after  they  should  possess  a 
legal  right  to  be  discharged,  and  very  little  of 
supplying  their  places  with  other  militia. 

The  present  situation  of  the  American  army 
was  precisely  similar  to  that  it  had  abandoned, 
and  of  consequence  no  serious  design  of  attempt- 
ing to  maintain  it  was  formed.  The  Hacken- 
sjick  lay  between  them  and  the  enemy,  and  the 
Passaic  was  immediately  in  their  rear,  so  that 
the  danger  of  being  enclosed  between  two  rivers 
still  existed.  While  therefore  some  regiments 
were  disposed  along  the  Hackensack  so  as  to 
afford  the  semblance  of  intending  to  defend  it, 
and  thus  for  a  time  to  cover  the  few  stores  which 
could  not  immediately  be  removed;  general 
Washington,  with  Seal's,  Heard's,  and  part  of 
Irvine's  brigades,  crossed  over  at  Acquacka- 
nunck  bridge,  and  took  post  at  Newark,  on  the 

*   See  Note,  No.  XX,  at  the  end  of  the  volume. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  521 

south  side  of  the  Passaic.     Soon  after  he  had  CHAP.  vm. 
marched,  major  general  Vaughan  appeared  at     1776. 
the  head  of  the  dragoons,  grenadiers,  and  light 
infantry,  before  the  new  bridge  over  Hacken- 
sack ;  and  the  American  detachment,  left  as  a 
rear  guard,  being  totally  unable  to  defend  it, 
could  only  break  up  the   bridge,    and  retire 
before  him  over  the  Passaic. 

On  the  south  side  of  this  river,  the  country 
being  open  behind  them,  it  was  determined  to 
halt  a  few  days,  to  make  some  show  of  resist- 
ance, and  to  endeavour  to  collect  such  a  force 
as  would  keep  up  at  least  the  semblance  of  an 
army.  The  letters  of  the  commander  in  chief 
not  having  produced  among  the  states,  such 
exertions  as  the  public  exigences  required; 
general  Mifflin,  who  was  believed  to  possess 
great  influence  in  Pennsylvania,  was  directed 
to  attend  the  government  of  that  state,  and  to 
represent  the  real  situation  of  the  army,  and  the 
danger  to  which  Philadelphia  would  certainly 
be  exposed,  unless  the  most  vigorous  exertions 
should  be  made,  and  such  large  re-enforcements  ineffectual 
hastened  to  his  aid,  as  mierht  enable  him  toraisethe 

militia. 

stop  the  enemy  in  the  Jerseys.  He  also  dis- 
patched colonel  Reid,  his  adjutant  general,  to 
the  governor  of  New  Jersey,  to  lay  before  him 
the  critical  situation  of  affairs,  and  to  press  upon 
him  the  absolute  necessity  of  making  further, 
and  immediate  exertions,  to  prevent  the  whole 
state  from  being  entirely  overrun  by  the  enemy. 

VOL.   II.  3  X 


522  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vni.  While  these  means  were  resorted  to  in  order 
1776.  to  strengthen  himself  with  militia,  he  pressed 
general  Lee  to  hasten  his  march,  and  cautioned 
him  to  keep  high  enough  up  the  country  to 
prevent  his  being  intercepted  by  the  enemy, 
who,  having  got  possession  of  the  mail  contain- 
ing one  of  his  late  letters,  would  certainly  en- 
deavour to  prevent  the  junction  of  the  two 
armies. 

In  this  perilous  state  of  things,  he  found  it 
necessary  to  detach  colonel  Forman  of  the  New 
Jersey  militia,  to  suppress  an  insurrection  which 
threatened  to  break  out  in  the  county  of  Mon- 
mouth,  where  great  numbers  were  well  dis- 
posed to  the  royal  cause.  Nor  was  this  the 
only  place  from  which  there  wras  reason  to  ap- 
prehend the  enemy  might  derive  aid.  Such  an 
indisposition  to  further  resistance  began  to  be 
manifested  throughout  that  state,  as  to  excite 
very  serious  fears  respecting  the  conduct  which 
might  be  observed  when  the  British  army 
should  penetrate  further  into  the  country. 

General  Beine:  unable  to  make  any  real  opposition,  as 

Washington  J    ,  ' 

retreats       the  enemy  crossed  the  rassaic,  sreneral  Wash- 
through 

jersey.        ingtoii  abandoned  his  position  behind  that  river ; 

NOV. 28.    and  the  day  lord  Cornwallis  entered  Newark, 

he  retreated  from  that  place  to  Brunswick,  a 

small  village  on  the  Raritan.     Here  the  time 

December  i.  arrived  when  those  troops  who  were  drawn  from 
Maryland  and  Jersey  to  compose  the  flying 
camp,  became  entitled  to  their  discharge,  and 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  523 

he  had  the  extreme  mortification  to  see  his  CHAP,  vm. 
feeble  army  still  more  enfeebled  by  their  entirely  irre. 
abandoning  him,  though  almost  in  sight  of  an 
advancing  enemy.  In  this  critical  situation,  so 
many  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia  who  were 
engaged  to  serve  until  the  first  of  January, 
deserted,  that  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  re- 
quest guards  of  militia  to  be  placed  on  the  roads 
and  ferries  over  the  Delaware,  in  order  to 
apprehend  and  send  back  to  camp,  soldiers  who 
might  be  found  without  a  written  discharge  or 
a  permit  to  be  absent. 

Here  he  again  stated  to  the  governor  of  New 
Jersey  that  the  object  of  the  enemy  plainly  was 
to  pass  through  that  state  to  Philadelphia,  and 
urged  him  once  more  to  adopt  some  proper  and 
efficacious  means  for  calling  out  the  strength  of 
the  state  to  his  support,  and  to  its  own  defence. 
Without  great  re-enforcements,  he  assured 
him,  it  would  be  impossible  to  maintain  his 
present  position  one  instant  after  the  enemy 
should  advance  upon  him.  But  it  was  not  in 
the  power  of  the  governor  to  furnish  the  aid 
required.  So  much  of  the  lower  country  as 
was  well  affected  was  overawed  entirely  by  the 
enemy;  and  the  militia  of  Morris  and  Sussex 
turned  out  very  slowly  and  reluctantly. 

Here  again  he  urged  general  Lee  to  join  him. 

After  mentioning  the  advance  of  the  enemy, 

who  without  doubt   designed  to  press  on  to 

Philadelphia,  he  said,  "  The  force  I  have  with 

3x  2 


524  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vin.  me  is  infinitely  inferior  in  numbers,  and  such 
1776.  as  cannot  promise  or  give  the  least  successful 
opposition.  I  must  entreat  you  to  hasten  your 
march  as  much  as  possible,  or  your  arrival 
may  be  too  late  to  answer  any  valuable  purpose : 
I  can  neither  particularize  your  route  nor  the 
place  to  join  me :  in  these  you  must  be  governed 
by  circumstances,  and  the  intelligence  you 
receive  ;  let  the  former  be  secure." 

At  Brunswick,  the  troops  were  continued  in 
motion,  for  the  purpose  of  concealing  their 
weakness,  and  retarding  the  advance  of  the 
enemy  by  creating  an  opinion,  that  the  Amer- 
icans meditated  an  attack  in  turn.  From  that 
place,  the  general  even  moved  some  men  tow- 
ards them,  as  if  intending  offensive  operations, 
and  he  continued  in  the  town,  until  they  were 
actually  in  view;  but  as  the  advanced  guards 
showed  themselves  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
bridge,  he  marched  out  of  Brunswick,  and, 
leaving  lord  Stirling  in  Princeton  with  two  bri- 
gades from  Virginia  and  Delaware,  consisting 
of  twelve  hundred  men,  to  watch  the  enemy, 
he  proceeded  himself  with  the  residue  of  the 
army  to  Trenton.  He  had  already  directed  the 
boats  on  the  Delaware,  from  Philadelphia  up- 
wards, for  seventy  miles,  to  be  collected  and 
guarded,  so  that  a  hope  might  be  reasonably 

December 2.  entertained,  that  the  progress  of  tlie  enemy 
would  be  stopped  at  this  river;  and  that,  in  the 
mean  time,  re-enforcements  might  arrive, 
which  would  enable  him  to  dispute  its  passage. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  525 

Having,  with  great  labour,  transported  the  CHAP.  VUL 
Few  remaining  military  stores  and  baggage  over     1776. 
the    Delaware,   he    determined   to   remain,   as 
long  as  possible,  with  the  small  force  which 
still  adhered  to  him,   on  the  north  side  of  that 
river. 

The  army  which,  under  the  command  of 
general  Washington,  was  thus  pressed  slowly 
through  the  Jerseys,  was  aided  by  no  other 
cavalry  than  a  small  corps  of  badly  mounted 
Connecticut  militia,  commanded  by  major 
Shelden;  and  was  almost  equally  destitute  of 
artillery.  Its  numbers,  at  no  time  during  the 
retreat,  exceeded  four  thousand,  and  was  now 
reduced  to  less  than  three  thousand  men;  of 
whom  not  quite  one  thousand  were  militia  be- 
longing to  the  state  of  New  Jersey ;  and,  even 
of  his  regulars  there  were  many  whose  terms 
of  service  were  about  to  expire. 

Nor  did  his  weakness  in  point  of  numbers 
constitute  the  only  embarrassment  of  his  situa- 
tion. His  regulars  were  badly  armed,  worse 
clad,  and  almost  without  tents,  blankets,  or 
utensils  for  dressing  their  provisions.  They 
were  composed  chiefly  of  the  garrison  drawn 
from  fort  Lee,  and  had  been  obliged  to  evacu- 
ate that  place  with  too  much  precipitation  to 
bring  with  them  even  those  few  articles  for 
their  comfort  and  accommodation,  with  which 
they  had  been  furnished.  He  found  himself  at 
the  head  of  this  small  band,  dispirited  by  their 


326  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vin.  losses  and  fatigues,  retreating  almost  naked 
1776.  and  barefooted,  in  the  cold  of  November  and 
December,  before  a  numerous,  well  appointed 
and  victorious  army,  through  a  desponding 
country,  much  more  disposed  to  secure  safety 
by  submission,  than  to  seek  it  by  a  manly 
resistance. 

In  this  crisis  of  American  affairs,  a  procla- 
mation was  issued  by  lord  and  general  Howe, 
as  commissioners  appointed  on  the  part  of  the 
crown  for  restoring  peace  to  America,  com- 
manding all  persons  assembled  in  arms  against 
his  majesty's  government,  to  disband  and  re- 
turn to  their  homes;  and  all  civil  officers  to 
desist  from  their  treasonable  practices,  and 
relinquish  their  usurped  authority.  A  full  par- 
don was  also  offered  to  every  person  who  would 
within  sixty  days,  appear  before  certain  civil 
or  military  officers  of  the  crown,  and  claim  the 
benefit  of  that  proclamation ;  and,  at  the  same 
time,  testify  his  obedience  to  the  laws  by  sub- 
scribing a  declaration  of  his  submission  to  the 
royal  authority.  Copies  of  this  proclamation 
were  immediately  dispersed  through  the  coun- 
try; after  which,  numbers  flocked  in,  daily, 
for  the  purpose  of  making  their  peace  and  ob- 
taining protection.  The  contrast  between  the 
splendid  appearance  of  the  pursuing  army,  and 
that  made  by  the  ragged  Americans  who  were 
flying  before  them,  diminished  in  numbers, 
and  destitute  of  almost  every  necessary,  could 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  537 

not  fail  to  contribute  to  the  general  opinion,  CHAT.  vm. 
that  the  contest  was  approaching  its  termination.     1 776, 

Among  the  many  valuable  traits  in  the 
character  of  general  Washington,  was  that 
unyielding  firmness  of  mind  which  resisted 
these  accumulated  circumstances  of  depression, 
and  supported  him  under  them.  Undismayed 
by  the  dangers  which  surrounded  him,  he  did 
not  for  an  instant  relax  his  exertions,  nor  omit 
any  thing  which  could  obstruct  the  progress  of 
the  enemy,  or  meliorate  his  own  condition. 
He  did  not  appear  to  despair  of  the  public 
safety,  but  struggled  against  adverse  fortune 
with  the  hope  of  yet  vanquishing  the  difficulties 
which  surrounded  him;  and  constantly  showed 
himself  to  his  harassed  and  enfeebled  army, 
with  a  serene  unembarrassed  countenance; 
betraying  no  fears  in  himself;  and  invigorating, 
and  inspiring  with  confidence,  the  bosoms  of 
others.  To  this  unconquerable  firmness  of 
temper;  to  this  perfect  self  possession,  under 
the  most  desperate  circumstances ;  is  America, 
in  a  great  degree,  indebted  for  her  independence. 

The  baggage  and  stores  were  immediately 
removed  to  the  south  side  of  the  Delaware,  and 
the  sick  sent  to  Philadelphia. 

Having  accomplished  this  object,  and  find- 
ing  that   lord   Cornwallis   still   continued    in 
Brunswick,  he  detached  twelve  hundred  men  Decembers. 
to  Princeton,  in  the  hope  that  by  appearing  to  ~ 
advance  on  the  enemy,  he  might  not  only  delay 


528  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vin.  their  progress,  but  in  some  degree  cover  the 
1776.    country,  and  reanimate  the  people  of  Jersey. 

A  part  of  this  short  respite  from  laborious 
service  was  devoted  to  the  predominant  wish  of 
his  heart,  that  of  preparing  as  far  as  possible 
for  the  next  campaign,  by  impressing  suffi- 
ciently on  congress,  a  conviction  of  the  real 
causes  which  had  produced  their  present  cala- 
mities. However  the  human  mind  may  resist 
the  clearest  theoretic  reasoning,  it  is  impossible 
not  to  discern  radical  and  obvious  errors,  while 
smarting  under  their  destructive  consequences. 
The  abandonment  of  the  army  by  whole  regi- 
ments of  the  flying  camp,  in  the  face  of  an 
advancing  and  superior  enemy;  the  impractica- 
bility of  calling  out  the  militia  of  Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania  in  sufficient  force  to  prevent  the 
enemy  from  overrunning  the  first  state  and  from 
entering  the  latter,  had  not  other  causes  saved 
it;  were  practical  lessons  on  the  subjects  of 
short  inlistments,  and  a  reliance  on  militia, 
which  could  not  fail  to  add  great  weight  to  the 
remonstrances  formerly  made  by  the  general  on 
this  subject,  and  which  he  now  repeated. 

The  exertions  of  general  Mifflin,  who  had 
been  commissioned  to  raise  the  militia  of 
Pennsylvania,  though  they  made  but  very  little 
impression  oh  the  state  at  large,  were  attended 
with  some  degree  of  success  in  Philadelphia. 
A  large  proportion  of  the  inhabitants  of  that 
city,  capable  of  bearing  arms,  had  associated 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  52  9 

for  the  defence  of  their  country  ;  and,  on  this  CHAP.  vm. 
occasion,  fifteen  hundred  of  them  marched  to     1775. 
Trenton;    and  a   German   battalion  was   also 
ordered  by  congress  to  the  same  place.     On  _ 
receiving   this  re-enforcement,  amounting  to  Pecember  e- 
about  two  thousand  men,  general  Washington 
commenced  his  march  to  Princeton  ;  but  before   seventh. 
he  could  reach  that  place,  he  received  intelli- 
gence   that   lord    Convwallis,    who    had   been 
strongly  re-enforced,  was  now  rapidly  advan- 
cing from  Brunswick  by  different  routes,  so 
as  to  get  in  his  rear.     A  retreat,  now  again 
became  indispensable,   and  it  was  absolutely 
necessary  to  pass  the  Delaware. 

He  crossed  that  river  on  the  eighth  of  De-  E*ghth- 
cember;  secured  all  the  boats,  broke  down  the 
bridges  on  the  roads  leading  along  the  Jersey 
shore  ;  and  posted  his  army  in  such  manner  as 
to  guard,  as  well  as  was  in  his  power,  the 
different  fording  places  over  which  it  was  prac- 
ticable for  the  enemy  to  pass.  As  the  rear 
guard  crossed  the  river,  the  van  of  the  British 
army  appeared  in  sight.  Their  main  body  took 
post  at  Trenton,  and  detachments  were  placed 
both  above  and  below,  so  as  to  render  entirely 
uncertain  the  place  at  which  they  might  attempt 
to  pass;  while  small  parties,  witnoutany  inter- 
ruption from  the  people  of  the  country,  reconnoi- 
tred the  Delaware  for  a  considerable  distance. 

Some  intelligence  had  been  received,  stating 
the  enemy  to  have  brought  boats  with  them. 

VOL.    II.  3  Y 


Washington 

" 


550  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vin.  Should  this  be  the  fact,  the  river  was  so  com- 
1776.  pletely  passable,  as  to  render  it  impracticable, 
without  a  force  greatly  exceeding  that  pos- 
sessed by  the  American  general,  to  prevent 
their  crossing  it.  The  course  of  the  Delaware 
from  Bordentown  below  Trenton  turns  west- 
ward, and  forms  an  acute  angle  with  its  course 

S?,gjr,0f-    from   Philadelphia  to  that  place;    so  that  the 

Philadelphia. 

enemy  might  cross  a  considerable  distance 
above,  and  be  not  much,  if  any  further  from 
the  metropolis,  than  the  American  army. 

In  consequence  of  this  state  of  things,  the 
general  advised  that  lines  of  defence  should  be 
drawn  from  the  Schuylkill  about  the  heights  of 
Springatsbury,  eastward  to  the  Delaware,,  and 
general  Putnam  was  ordered  to  superintend 
them;  while  general  Mifflin,  who  had  just  re- 
turned to  camp,  was  again  dispatched  to  Phila- 
delphia to  take  charge  of  the  numerous  stores 
at  that  place. 

The  enemy  made  some  ineffectual  attempts, 
which  were  defeated  by  the  vigilance  of  the 
Americans,  to  seize  a  number  of  boats  guarded 
by  lord  Stirling  about  Coryell's  ferry;  and,  in 
order  to  facilitate  their  movements  down  the 
river  on  the  Jersey  shore,  they  repaired  the 
bridges  three  or  four  miles  below  Trenton, 
which  had  been  broken  up  by  order  of  general 
Washington;  after  which,  they  advanced  a 
strong  detachment  to  Bordentown,  so  as  to 
create  the  impression  of  crossing  at  the  same 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  535, 

time  above  and  below ;   and  either  proceeding,  CHAP.  vm. 
in  two  columns,   directly  to  Philadelphia,  or     irrs. 
completely  enveloping  the  American  army.    To 
counteract  this  plan,  and  avoid  being  enclosed 
in  the  angle  of  the  river  at  Trenton,  the  galleys 
were  stationed  so  as  to  give  the  earliest  notice 
of  any  movements  below,  and  at  the  same  time 
afford  their  aid  in  repelling  any  effort  to  cross 
the  river ;  while  he  made  such  a  disposition  of 
his  little  army,  as  to  guard  against  the  execu- 
tion of  what  he  believed  to  be  their  real  design 
which  was  to  ford  the  Delaware  above.     Four 
brigades  under  the  generals  lord  Stirling,  Mer- 
cer,  Stephens,   and  De  Furnoy,   were  posted 
from  Yardly's  up  to  Coryell's  ferry,  in  such 
manner,  as  to  guard  every  suspicious  part  of 
the  river,  and  to  assist  each  other  in  case  of  an 
attack.     General  Irving  with  the  remnant  of 
the  flying  camp  of  Pennsylvania,   engaged  to 
serve   until   the   first   of  January,    and   some 
Jersey  militia  under  general  Dickenson,  were 
posted  from  Yardly's  down  to  the  ferry  opposite 
Bordentown.     Colonel  Cadwallader,  the  bro- 
ther of  the  gentleman  taken  in  fort  Washington, 
with  the  Pennsylvania  militia,   occupied  the 
ground  above  and  below  the  mouth  of  Ni sha- 
mmy river,   as  far  down  as  Dunks'  ferry,  at 
which  place  colonel  Nixon  was  posted  with  the 
third  Philadelphia  battalion.    The  artillery  was 
apportioned   among   the   brigades,  and   small 
redoubts  were  thrown  up  at  every  place  where. 
3  Y  2 


532  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vm.  it  was  possible  to  ford  the  river.  Precise  orders 
irre.  were  given  to  the  commanding  officer  of  each 
detachment,  marking  out  as  nearly  as  possible 
the  conduct  he  should  observe  in  the  events 
which  might  happen,  directing  his  route  in 
case  of  being  driven  from  his  post,  and  the 
passes  he  should  endeavour  to  defend  on  his 
way  to  the  high  grounds  of  Germantown, 
where  the  army  was  to  rendezvous,  if  driven 
by  the  enemy  from  the  river. 

Having  made  this  arrangement  of  his  troops, 
he  waited  in  the  anxious  hope  of  receiving  re- 
enforcements;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  watched 
every  motion  of  the  enemy  with  the  utmost 
vigilance,  used  all  the  means  he  could  devise 
to  obtain  intelligence,  and  sent  out  daily  parties 
over  the  river  to  harass  the  enemy,  to  make 
prisoners,  and  to  observe  their  situation. 

The  utmost  exertions  were  made  by  the 
civil  authority  to  raise  the  militia.  Expresses 
\vere  sent  through  the  different  counties  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  to  the  governments  of  Dela- 
ware and  Maryland,  urging  them  to  march, 
without  delay,  to  join  the  army.  General 
Mifflin  was  directed  "  to  repair  immediately  to 
the  neighbouring  counties,  and  endeavour,  by 
all  the  means  in  his  power,  to  rouse  and  bring 
in  the  militia  to  the  defence  of  Philadelphia." 
Congress  also  declared  "  that  they  deemed  it 
of  great  importance  to  the  general  safety,  that 
general  Mifflin  should  make  a  progress  through 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  533 

the  several  counties  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania,  CHAP,  vm. 
to  rouse  the  freemen  thereof  to  the  immediate 
defence  of  the  city  and  country;"  and  they 
resolved,  "  that  the  assembly  be  requested  to 
appoint  a  committee  of  their  body  to  make  the 
tour  with  him,  and  assist  in  this  good  and 
necessary  work."* 

In  the  hope  that  the  militia  might  be  pre- 
vailed on  to  furnish  more  effectual  aid,  so  as  to 
enable  him  even  to  act  offensively,  if  they  saw 
a  large  regular  army  to  which  they  might 
attach  themselves,  the  commander  in  chief  had 
directed  general  Gates  to  march  with  the  regu- 
lars from  the  northern  army,  and,  in  the  con- 
fidence that,  if  any  movements  should  be  made 
by  the  enemy  against  the  highlands,  the  New 
England  militia  might  be  depended  on  to  sup- 
ply the  places  of  the  troops  now  stationed  at 
those  posts.  General  Heath  was  also  ordered 
from  Peck's. Kill. 

Although  general  Lee  had  been  repeatedly 
urged,  in  the  most  pressing  manner,  to  join 
the  commander  in  chief,  he  proceeded  slowly 
in  the  execution  of  these  orders,  manifesting  a 
strong  disposition  to  retain  his  separate  com- 
mand, and  rather  to  hang  on,  and  threaten  the 

*  General  Armstrong  of  Pennsylvania,  was  at  the  same 
time  sent  by  general  Washington  into  that  part  of  the 
state  where  he  possessed  most  influence,  to  encourage  the 
recruiting  service,  and  favour  the  attempt  of  raising  the 
militia. 


534  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  vin.  rear  of  the  enemy,  than  strengthen  the  army 
1776.  in  their  front.  With  this  view  he  proposed 
establishing  himself  at  Morristown;  but  on 
receiving  a  letter  from  general  Washington 
stating  his  disapprobation  of  this  plan,  which 
though  proper  in  itself,  and  under  other  cir- 
cumstances, was  now  totally  inadmissible,  as 
the  army,  without  this  re- enforcement,  was 
not  strong  enough  to  stop  the  march  of  the 
enemy  to  Philadelphia;  and  pressing  him  to 
come  on ;  he  still  declared  an  opinion  in  favour 
of  his  own  proposition,  and  proceeded  reluct- 
antly towards  the  Delaware.  While  on  this 
march  through  Morris  county,  and  at  the  dis- 
tance of  about  twenty  miles  from  the  enemy, 
he,  very  indiscreetly,  quartered  under  a  slight 
guard,  in  a  house  about  three  miles  from  his 
army.  Information  of  this  circumstance  was 
given  by  a  countryman  to  colonel  Harcourt,  at 
that  time  detached  with  a  body  of  cavalry  for 
the  purpose  of  gaining  intelligence  concerning 
his  movements,  who  immediately  formed  and 
executed  the  design  of  seizing  him.  By  a 
rapid  march  this  corps  of  cavalry  very  early  in 
the  morning,  reached  the  house  where  the 
general  had  lodged,  who  received  no  intimation 

capture  of    of  its  approach  until  the  house  was  surrounded, 

general  Lee. 

and  he  found  himself  a  prisoner   to  colonel 

December  13. 

Harcourt;   who  bore  him  off  in  triumph  to  the 

British  army,  where  he  was  for  some   time, 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  535 

treated,  not  as   a   prisoner  of  war,  but  as  a  CHAP. 
deserter  from  the  British  service.  1776 

This  misfortune  made  a  very  serious  impres- 
sion on  all  America.  The  confidence  originally 
placed  in  general  Lee,  created  by  his  expe- 
rience and  real  talents,  had  been  very  greatly 
increased  by  the  success  which  had  attended 
him  while  commanding  in  the  southern  depart- 
ment. In  addition  to  this,  it  was  generally 
believed  that  his  opinions,  during  the  military 
operations  in  New  York,  had  contributed  to 
the  adoption  of  those  judicious  movements 
which  had,  in  a  great  measure,  defeated  the 
plans  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter.  It  was  also 
believed,  but  without  any  certain  knowledge  of 
the  fact,  that  he  had  opposed  the  majority  in 
the  council  of  war,  which  determined  to  main- 
tain the  forts  Washington  and  Lee.  No  officer, 
except  the  commander  in  chief,  possessed,  at 
that  time,  so  large  a  portion  of  the  confidence 
either  of  the  army,  or  of  the  country;  and  his 
loss  was  almost  universally  bewailed  as  the 
greatest  calamity  which  had  befallen  the  Ameri- 
can arms.  It  was  regretted  by  no  person  more 
than  by  general  Washington  himself,  who 
esteemed  highly  his  merit  as  a  soldier,  and 
lamented  sincerely  his  captivity,  both  on  ac- 
count of  his  personal  feelings,  and  of  the  public 
interest. 

General  Sullivan,   on  whom  the  command 
of  that  division  of  the  army  devolved  after  the 


536  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  via  capture  of  Lee,  obeyed  promptly  the  orders 
1776.  which  had  been  directed  to  that  officer,  and, 
crossing  the  Delaware  at  Philipsburg,  joined 
the  commander  in  chief  about  the  twentieth, 
whose  effective  force  was  now  increased  to 
nearly  seven  thousand  men.  He  was  also 
joined  on  the  same  day  by  general  Gates  with 
a  part  of  the  northern  army. 

All  attempts  of  the  British  general  to  get  pos- 
session of  boats  for  the  purpose  of  transporting 
his  army  over  the  Delaware  having  failed,  he 

The  British  appeared  to  have  determined  to  close  the  cam- 

go  into  win- 

paign,  and  to  retire  into  winter  quarters.  About 
four  thousand  men  were  cantoned  on  the  Dela- 
ware, atTrenton,  Bordentown,  the  White  Horse, 
and  Burlington ;  and  the  remaining  part  of  the 
army  of  Jersey  was  distributed  from  that  river 
to  the  Hackensack.  Strong  corps  were  posted 
at  Princeton,  Brunswick,  and  Elizabeth  town; 
but  general  Washington  apprehended  that  the 
intention  of  taking  Philadelphia,  in  the  course 
of  the  winter,  was  only  postponed  till  the  ice 
should  become  sufficiently  firm  to  bear  the 
army. 

To  intimidate  as  much  as  possible,  and 
thereby  impede  the  recruiting  business,  was 
believed  to  have  been  no  inconsiderable  induce- 
ment with  general  Howe  for  covering,  with  his 
army,  so  large  a  portion  of  Jersey.  To  coun- 
teract his  views  in  this  respect,  was  an  object 
of  real  importance.  For  that  purpose  general 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  537 

Washington  ordered  three  regiments,  who  were  CHAP,  via 
marching  from  Peck's-Kill,  to  halt  at  Morris-  1775. 
town,  and  to  unite  with  about  eight  hundred 
Jersey  militia,  who  had  collected  under  colonel 
Ford  at  the  same  place.  General  Maxwell  was 
detached  to  take  the  command  of  these  troops, 
with  orders  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy, 
and  to  endeavour  to  harass  them  in  their 
marches,  to  give  intelligence  of  all  their  move- 
ments, and  especially  of  such  as  might  be 
made  from  Brunswick  towards  Princeton  or 
Trenton;  to  keep  up  the  spirits  of  the  militia, 
and,  as  much  as  possible,  prevent  the  inhabi- 
tants from  going  within  the  British  lines,  mak- 
ing their  submission,  and  taking  protections. 

The  short  interval  between  the  enemy's 
going  into  winter  quarters,  and  the  recom-  p^-  . 
mencement  of  active  operations,  was  employed 
by  general  Washington  in  repeating  the  repre- 
sentations he  had  so  often  made  to  congress 
respecting  the  army  for  the  ensuing  campaign. 
The  extreme  dangers  resulting  from  short  in- 
listments,  and  of  relying  en  militia,  had  now 
been  fully  exemplified;  and  his  remonstrances 
on  that  subject  were  supported  by  that  severe 
experience,  which  improves  while  it  encases. 
He  had  felt  greatly,  in  the  course  of  the  cam- 
paign, his  want  of  cavalry,  of  artillery,  and  of 
engineers ;  he  had  before  stated  to  congress  his 
ideas  on  these  important  subjects,  and  he  now 
re-urged  them  on  that  body.  He  was  earnest 

VOL.    II.  3  Z 


538  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  viii.  with  them,  too,  to  increase  the  number  of  coit- 
1776.  tinental  regiments.  It  was  admitted  that  those 
already  voted  would,  most  probably,  not  be 
completed;  but  he  contended  that  by  directing 
an  additional  number,  and  appointing  other 
officers,  more  men  would  be  inlisted,  as  every 
officer  would  recruit  a  few.  With  respect  to 
the  additional  expense  to  be  incurred  by  the 
measures  he  recommended,  it  was  observed, 
"  that  our  funds  were  not  the  only  object  now 
to  be  taken  into  consideration.  The  enemy, 
it  was  found,  were  daily  gathering  strength 
from  the  disaffected.  This  strength,  like  a 
snowball  by  rolling,  would  increase,  unless 
some  means  could  be  devised  to  check  effec- 
tually the  progress  of  their  arms.  Militia 
might  possibly  do  it  for  a  little  while ;  but  in  a 
little  while  also  the  militia  of  those  states  which 
were  frequently  called  upon,  would  not  turn 
out  at  all,  or  would  turn  out  with  so  much  re- 
luctance and  sloth,  as  to  amount  to  the  same 
thing.  Instance  New  Jersey !  witness  Penn- 
sylvania! could  any  thing  but  the  river  Dela- 
ware have  saved  Philadelphia? 

"  Could  any  thing,"  he  asked,  "  be  more 
destructive  of  the  recruiting  business,  than 
giving  ten  dollars  bounty  for  six  weeks  ,  ser- 
vice in  the  militir,  who  come  in,  you  cannot 
tell  how;  go,  you  cannot  tell  when;  and  act, 
you  cannot  tell  where:  who  consume  your 
provisions,  exhaust  your  stores,  and  leave  you 
at  last  in  a  critical  moment. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  539 

<{  These,  sir,"  he  added,  "  are  the  men  ICHAP.VIH. 
am  to  depend  upon  ten  days  hence.     This  is     1776. 
the  basis  upon  which  your  cause  will  rest,  and 
must  forever  depend,    until   you   get  a  large 
standing  army  sufficient  of  itself  to  oppose  the 
enemy." 

He  also  hinted  the  idea,  extremely  delicate 
in  itself,  of  enlarging  his  powers  so  as  to  enable 
him  to  act  without  constant  applications  to  con- 
gress for  their  sanction  of  measures,  the  imme- 
diate adoption  of  which  was  essential  to  the 
public  interests.  "  This  might,"  he  said,  "  be 
termed  an  application  for  powers  too  dangerous 
to  be  intrusted."  He  could  only  answer,  "  that 
desperate  diseases  required  desperate  remedies. 
He  could  with  truth  declare  that  he  felt  no  lust 
for  power,  but  wished  with  as  much  fervency 
as  any  man  upon  this  wide  extended  continent, 
for  an  opportunity  of  turning  the  sword  into  a 
ploughshare  :  but  his  feelings  as  an  officer,  and 
as  a  man,  had  been  such  as  to  force  him  to  say, 
that  no  person  ever  had  a  greater  choice  of 
difficulties  to  contend  with  than  himself." 

After  stating  several  measures  he  had  adopted, 
not  within  the  powers  conferred  on  him  by  con- 
gress, and  urging  many  other  necessary  ar- 
rangements, he  added,  "  It  may  be  thought  I 
am  going  a  good  deal  out  of  the  line  of  my 
duty,  to  adopt  these  measures,  or  advise  thus 
freely :  a  character  to  lose,  an  estate  to  forfeit, 
3z  2 


540  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  via.  the  inestimable  blessing  of  liberty  at  stake,  and 
1776.    a  life  devoted,  must  be  my  excuse." 

The  present  aspect  of  their  affairs  was  ex- 
tremely unfavourable  to  the  United  States. 
The  existing  army,  except  a  few  regiments 
from  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and 
New  York,  affording  an  effective  force  of  about 
fifteen  hundred  men,  would  dissolve  in  a  very 
few  days.  New  Jersey  had,  in  a  great  mea- 
sure, submitted  to  the  enemy.  The  militia  of 
Pennsylvania  had  not  turned  out  with  the 
alacrity  expected  from  them.  General  Howe 
would,  most  probably,  avail  himself  of  the  ice 
which  was  now  to  be  expected,  and  of  the  dis- 
solution of  the  American  army,  to  pass  the 
Delaware  and  seize  Philadelphia.  This  event 
was  greatly  dreaded,  not  only  on  account  of 
its  intrinsic  importance  at  any  time,  but  on 
account  of  its  peculiar  importance  at  this; 
when  that  army  was  to  be  recruited  on  which 
the  future  hopes  of  America  were  to  rest,  and 
which  was  to  decide  her  destiny.  It  was 
greatly  feared,  and  with  much  reason,  that  this 
event  would  make  so  unfavourable  an  impres- 
sion on  the  public  mind,  as  to  deter  the 
American  youth  from  engaging  in  a  contest 
becoming  so  desperate. 

Impelled  by  these   considerations,    and   by 

that  enterprise  of  temper  which  he  possessed 

\     in  a  very  great  degree,  general  Washington  no 

sooner  perceived  the  dispersed  situation  of  the 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  541 

enemy,  than  he  meditated  a  blow  which  might  CHAP,  vm. 
retrieve  the  affairs  of  America,  in  the  public     1776. 
opinion,    and  recover  the  ground  which  had 
been  lost. 

He  formed  the  daring  plan  of  attacking,  at 
the  same  instant,  all  the  British  posts  on  the 
Delaware.  If  successful  in  all,  or  any  of  these 
attacks,  he  hoped  to  wipe  off  the  ill  impressions 
made  by  his  losses,  and  by  his  retreat,  and  to 
compel  the  enemy  to  compress  himself  in  such 
a  manner  as  no  longer  to  cover  the  Jerseys, 
while  he  should  at  the  same  time,  relieve  Phila- 
delphia from  the  immediate  and  imminent  dan- 
ger with  which  it  was  now  threatened. 

The  position  he  had  taken,  to  oppose  the  pas- 
sage of  the  river  by  the  enemy,  was  precisely 
calculated  to  favour  his  present  scheme  of  offen- 
sive operations. 

Most  of  his  regulars  were  posted  above  Tren- 
ton, from  Yardly's  up  to  Coryell's  ferry.  Gene- 
ral  Irvine  with  the  Pennsylvania  flying  camp, 
and  Jersey  militia,  extended  from  Yardly's  to 
the  ferry  opposite  Bordentown;  and  general 
Cadwalader  with  the  Pennsylvania  militia,  lay 
still  lower  down  the  river. 

The  plan  now  formed  was  to  cross  in  the 
night  at  M'Konkey's  ferry,  about  nine  miles 
above  Trenton,  to  march  down  in  two  divisions, 
the  one  taking  the  river  road,  and  the  other 
the  Pennington  road,  both  which  lead  into  the 
town ;  the  one  at  the  upper,  or  west  end,  and 


i 

542  THE  LIFE  OF 

cH\p.vnr.  the  other  at  its  back,  and  towards  the  north. 
1776.  This  part  of  the  plan  was  to  be  executed  by  the 
general  in  person,  at  the  head  of  about  two 
thousand  four  hundred  continental  troops.  It 
was  supposed  very  practicable  to  pass  them 
over  the  river  by  twelve  o'clock,  so  that  suffi- 
cient time  would  be  allowed  to  reach  their  point 
of  destination  by  five  in  the  morning  of  the 
next  day,  when  the  attack  was  to  be  made. 
General  Irvine  was  directed  to  cross  at  the 
Trenton  ferry,  and  secure  the  bridge  below  the 
town,  so  as  to  prevent  the  escape  of  any  part 
of  the  enemy  by  that  road.  General  Cadwala- 
der  was  to  cross  over  at  Bristol,  and  carry  the 
post  at  Burlington.  It  had  been  in  contempla- 
tion to  unite  the  troops,  employed  in  fortifying 
Philadelphia,  to  those  at  Bristol,  and  to  place 
the  whole  under  general  Putnam;  but  there 
were  such  indications  in  that  city  of  an  insur- 
rection to  favour  the  royal  cause,  that  it  was 
deemed  unsafe  to  withdraw  them.  The  cold, 
on  the  night  of  the  25th  was  very  severe;  a 
mingled  snow,  hail,  and  rain,  fell  in  great 
quantities,  and  so  much  ice  was  made  in  the 
river,  that  with  the  utmost  possible  exertions, 
the  troops,  with  the  artillery,  could  not  be  got 
over  until  three  o'clock,  and  it  was  near  four 
before  the  line  of  march  could  be  taken  up. 
As  the  distance  to  Trenton  both  by  the  river, 
and  Pennington  roads,  is  nearly  the  same,  it 
was  supposed  that  each  division  of  the  army 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  543 

would  reach  its  object  about  the  same  time,  CHAP.  vm. 
and  therefore  orders  were  given  to  attack  at  the     1660. 
first  moment  of  arrival,  and  after  driving  in  the 
out  guards,  to  press  rapidly  after  them  into 
the  town,  so  as  to  prevent  the  main  body  of 
the  enemy  from  forming. 

General   Washington  himself  accompanied  Battle  of 

Trenton. 

the  upper  division,  and  arrived  at  the  out  post 

December  26. 

on  that  road,  precisely  at  eight  o'clock.     He 

immediately  drove  it  in,  and  in  three  minutes 
heard  the  fire  from  the  division  which  had  taken 
the  river  road.  The  picket  guard  kept  up  a 
fire  from  behind  houses  as  they  retreated,  but 
the  Americans  followed  them  with  such  ardour 
and  rapidity,  that  they  could  make  no  stand. 
Colonel  Rawle,  a  very  gallant  officer  who  com- 
manded in  Trenton,  paraded  his  men,  in  order 
to  meet  the  assailants.  In  the  very  commence- 
ment of  the  action  he  was  mortally  wounded, 
and  his  troops,  in  apparent  confusion,  attempted 
to  file  off  from  the  right,  and  gain  the  road  to 
Princeton.  Perceiving  this,  general  Washing- 
ton threw  a  detachment  in  their  front,  which 
intercepted  them  in  the  attempt,  and  advanced 
rapidly  on  them.  Finding  themselves  sur- 
rounded, and  their  artillery  already  seized, 
they  laid  down  their  arms  and  surrendered 
prisoners  of  war. 

Unfortunately  the  quantity  of  ice  had  ren- 
dered it  impracticable  for  general  Irvine  to  exe- 
cute that  part  of  the  plan  which  had  been  allotted 


544  THE  LIFE  °F 

CHAP.  vin.  to  him.  With  his  utmost  efforts  he  could  not 
1776.  cross  the  river;  in  consequence  of  this  circum- 
stance the  lower  road  towards  Bordentown 
remained  open.  A  part  of  the  enemy,  about 
five  hundred  men,  stationed  in  the  lower  end 
of  Trenton,  availed  themselves  of  this  circum- 
stance, and  crossing  the  bridge  in  the  com- 
mencement of  the  action,  marched  down  the 
river  to  Bordentown.  The  same  cause  pre- 
vented general  Cadwalader  from  attacking  the 
post  at  Burlington.  With  infinite  difficulty  he 
got  over  a  part  of  his  infantry ;  but  finding  it 
absolutely  impracticable  to  cross  with  the  artil- 
lery, his  infantry  returned. 

Though  this  plan  failed  in  so  many  of  its 
parts  in  consequence  of  the  extreme  severity  of 
the  night,  the  success  which  attended  that  part 
of  it,  which  was  to  be  executed  by  general 
Washington  in  person,  was  complete ;  and  was 
followed  by  the  happiest  effects.  About  twenty 
of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and  nine  hundred  and 
nine,  including  officers,  laid  down  their  arms, 
and  surrendered  themselves  prisoners.  Others 
were  afterwards  found  concealed  in  houses,  so 
us  to  increase  the  number  to  about  one  thou- 
sand. Six  field  pieces,  and  a  thousand  stand 
of  small  arms,  were  also  taken.  On  the  part 
of  the  Americans,  two  privates  were  killed; 
two  frozen  to  death;  and  one  officer,  and  three 
or  four  privates,  wounded. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  545 

Had  it  been  practicable  for  the  divisions  CHAP,  via 
under  generals  Irvine  and  Cadwalader  to  have  1776. 
crossed  the  river,  it  was  intended  to  have  pro- 
ceeded from  Trenton  to  the  posts  below,  at 
and  about  Bordentown ;  to  have  entirely  swept 
the  enemy  from  the  banks  of  the  Delaware, 
and  to  have  maintained  a  position  in  the  Jerseys. 
But  finding  those  parts  of  the  plan  to  have 
entirely  failed,  and  supposing  the  enemy  to 
remain  in  force  below,  while  a  strong  corps 
was  posted  at  Princeton,  it  was  thought  unad- 
visable  to  hazard  the  loss  of  the  very  impor- 
tant advantage  already  gained,  by  attempting 
to  increase  it ;  and  general  Washington  re- 
crossed  the  river  with  his  prisoners  and  the 
military  stores  he  had  taken.  Lieutenant 
colonel  Baylor,  his  aid-de-camp  who  carried 
the  intelligence  of  this  success  to  congress,  was 
presented  with  a  horse  completely  caparisoned 
for  service,  and  recommended  to  be  appointed 
to  the  command  of  a  regiment  of  cavalry. 

Nothing  could  surpass  the  astonishment  of 
the  enemy  at  this  unexpected  display  of  vigour 
on  the  part  of  the  American  general.  His  con- 
dition, and  that  of  his  country,  had  been 
thought  desperate.  He  had  been  deserted  by 
all  the  troops  having  a  legal  right  to  leave  him. 
The  regiments  ordered  from  Ticonderoga 
had  melted  away  on  returning  to  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  country  in  which  they  had 
been  raised;  and  of  his  remaining  regulars, 

VOL.    II.  4   A 


546  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vm.  nearly  two  thirds  would  be  entitled  to  their 
1776.  discharge  on  the  first  day  of  January.  There 
appeared  no  probability  of  prevailing  on  them 
to  continue  longer  in  the  service,  and  the 
recruiting  business  was  absolutely  at  an  end. 
The  spirits  of  a  large  proportion  of  the  people 
were  sunk  to  the  lowest  point  of  depression. 
New  Jersey  appeared  to  be  completely  subdued ; 
and  some  of  the  best  judges  of  the  public  sen- 
timent were  of  opinion,  that  immense  numbers 
in  Pennsylvania  also,  were  determined  not  to 
permit  the  sixty  days,  allowed  in  the  procla- 
mation of  lord,  and  sir  William  Howe,  to 
elapse,  without  availing  themselves  of  the  par- 
don it  held  forth  to  them.  Instead  of  offensive 
operations,  the  total  dispersion  of  the  small 
remnant  of  the  American  army  might  well  be 
looked  for,  since  it  \vould  be  rendered  too 
feeble  by  the  (discharge  of  those  engaged  only 
until  the  last  day  of  December,  to  attempt  any 
longer  a  defence  of  the  Delaware ;  which  would 
by  that  time,  in  all  probability,  be  every  where 
passable  on  the  ice.  While  every  appearance 
supported  these  opinions,  and  the  British 
general,  without  being  sanguine,  might  well 
have  considered  the  war  as  approaching  its  ter- 
mination ;  this  bold  and  fortunate  enterprise 
announced  to  him,  that  he  had  to  contend  with 
an  adversary,  who  could  never  cease  to  be  for- 
midable, so  long  as  the  possibility  of  resistance 
remained.  Finding  the  conquest  of  America 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  547 

further  removed  than  had  been  supposed,  he  CHAP.  vm. 
determined,  though  in  the  depth  of  winter,  to     1776. 
recommence  active  operations ;  and  lord  Corn- 
wallis,  who  had  retired  to  New  York  for  the 
purpose  of  embarking  for  Europe,  suspended 
his  departure,  and  returned  to  the  Jerseys  in 
great  force,    for  the  purpose  of  regaining  the 
ground  which'h'ad  been  lost. 

Meanwhile  count  Donop,  who  commanded 
the  troops  now  posted  below  Trenton,  and  was 
himself  at  Burlington,  on  hearing  the  disaster 
which  had  befallen  colonel  Rawle,  immediately 
commenced  his  retreat  by  the  road  leading  to 
Amboy,  amd  joined  general  Leslie  at  Princeton. 
The  next  day  general  Cadwalader  crossed 
over  and  took  post  on  the  Jersey  shore.  He 
was  ordered  to  harass  the  enemy  if  he  could 
do  so  safely,  but  to  put  nothing  to  the  hazard 
until  he  should  be  joined  by  the  continental 
battalions,  who  were  allowed  a  day  or  two  of 
repose,  after  the  fatigues  of  the  enterprise 
against  Trenton.  General  Mifflin  now  joined 
general  Irvine  with  a  detachment  of  Pennsyl- 
vania militia  amounting  to  about  fifteen  hundred 
men,  and  those  troops  were  also  ordered  to 
cross  the  Delaware. 

The  general,  once  more  finding  himself  at  the 
head  of  a  force  with  which  it  was  practicable 
to  attempt  something,  resolved  not  to  remain 
inactive.  Inferior  as  he  was  to  the  enemy,  he 
yet  determined  to  employ  the  winter  in  endea- 
4A  2 


548  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP .VHI.  vouring  to  recover  the  whole,  or  a  great  part 

1776.  of  Jersey. 

With  this  view  he  ordered  general  Heath, 
who  was  stationed  atPeck's-Kill  for  the  defence 
of  the  highlands,  on  the  North  river,  to  leave  a 
small  detachment  of  troops  at  that  place,  and, 
with  the  main  body  of  the  New  England 
militia,  to  move  into  Jersey,  anti  approach  the 
cantonments  of  the  enemy  on  that  side.  General 
Maxwell  was  ordered  to  collect  as  many  militia 
as  possible,  to  harass  their  flank  and  rear,  and 
to  attack  their  out  posts  when  any  favourable 
occasion  should  present  itself.  Having  made 

December  so.  these  dispositions,  he  again  crossed  the  Dela- 
ware himself  with  his  continental  regiments, 
and  once  more  took  post  at  Trenton.  Here  he 
exerted  all  his  influence  to  prevail  on  the  troops 
from  New  England,  whose  terms  of  service 
expired  on  the  last  day  of  December,  to  con- 
tinue during  the  present  exigency,  and,  with 
infinite  difficulty,  added  to  a  bounty  of  ten 
dollars,  many  of  them  were  induced  to  re-en- 

______  gage  for  six  weeks. 

1777.  The  enemy  were  now  collected  in  force  at 

January  1« 

Princeton,   under  lord  Cornwallis,  where  some 

works  were  thrown  up  ;  and,  from  their  ad- 
vancing a  strong  corps  towards  Trenton,  as 
well  as  from  their  knowledge  that  the  continen- 
tal troops  from  New  P^ngland  were  now  enti- 
tled to  be  discharged,  and  from  some  private 
intelligence,  it  was  expected  they  would  attack 
that  place. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  549 

Generals  Mifflin  and  Cadwalader,  who  lay  at  CHAP.  vm. 
Bordentown  and  Crosswix    with   three   thou-     1777. 
sand    six   hundred   militia,    were    ordered   to 
march  up  in  the  night  of  the  first  of  January  to 
join   the   commander  in  chief,    whose  whole 
effective   force,    with   this   addition,    did   not 
exceed  five  thousand  men. 

As  had  been  expected,  the  enemy  advanced 
upon  them  the  next  morning;  and,  after  some  January 2. 
slight  skirmishing  with  troops  detached  to 
Maidenhead  to  harass  and  delay  their  march, 
the  van  of  their  army  reached  Trenton  about 
four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon;  while  their  rear 
was  at  Maidenhead,  about  half  way  between 
Princeton  and  Trenton.  On  their  approach, 
general  Washington  retired  across  the  Assum- 
pinck,  a  creek  which  runs  through  the  town, 
behind  which  he  drew  up  his  army.  The 
enemy  attempted  to  cross  this  creek  at  several 
places,  but  finding  all  the  fords  guarded,  they 
halted  and  kindled  their  fires.  The  American 
troops  kindled  their  fires  likewise,  and  a  can- 
nonade, which  had  commenced  on  their  first 
appearance,  was  kept  up  on  both  sides  until 
dark. 

The  situation  of  general  Washington  was, 
now  again,  extremely  critical.  If  he  main- 
tained his  present  position,  it  was  certain  that 
he  should  be  attacked,  next  morning,  by  a 
force  in  all  respects  superior  to  his  own ;  and 
the  result  would,  most  probably,  be  the  des- 
truction of  his  little  army.  If  he  should  retreat 


550  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vin.  over  the  Delaware,  the  passage  of  that  river 
1777.  was  now  so  difficult,  being  filled  with  ice, 
which,  in  consequence  of  a  few  mild  and  foggy 
days,  was  not  firm  enough  to  march  upon, 
that  a  considerable  loss,  perhaps  a  total  defeat, 
would  be  sustained,  and,  in  any  event,  the 
Jerseys  would  once  more  be  entirely  in  pos- 
session of  the  enemy ;  the  public  mind  would 
again  be  depressed,  and  recruiting  discouraged 
by  his  apparent  inferiority  ;  and  Philadelphia 
would  once  more  be  in  the  grasp  of  general 
Howe.  It  was  obvious  that  the  one  event  or 
the  other  would  deduct  very  greatly  from  the 
advantages  promised  from  his  late  success ; 
and,  if  it  did  not  render  the  American  cause 
absolutely  desperate,  would  very  essentially 
injure  it. 

In  this  state  of  things,  he  formed  the  bold 
and  judicious  design  of  abandoning  the  Dela- 
ware, and  marching  silently  in  the  night  by  a 
circuitous  route,  along  the  left  flank  of  the 
enemy,  into  their  rear  at  Princeton,  where  he 
knew  they  could  not  be  very  strong.  After 
beating  them  there,  it  was  his  intention  to  make 
a  rapid  movement  to  Brunswick,  where  their 
baggage  and  principal  magazines  lay  under  a 
weak  guard.  He  had  sanguine  expectations 
that  this  manoeuvre  wrould  call  the  attention  of 
the  British  general  to  his  own  defence ;  in 
which  event  very  great  objects  would  be  ac- 
complished ;  Philadelphia  would  be  saved  for 
the  present;  great  part  of  Jersey  recovered; 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  551 

and,  not  only  the  appearance  of  a  retreat  CHAP,  via, 
avoided,  but  the  public  mind  encouraged  by  1777. 
active  and  offensive  operations.  If  he  should 
even  be  disappointed  in  this  expectation,  and, 
contrary  to  every  calculation,  lord  Cornwallis 
should  proceed  to  Philadelphia,  nothing  worse 
could  happen  in  that  quarter,  than  must  happen, 
should  the  American  army  be  driven  before 
him  ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  he  would  lessen 
that  calamity  by  expelling  the  enemy  com- 
pletely from  Jersey,  and  cutting  up  all  their 
parties  in  that  state  by  detail. 

The  council  of  war  approved  the  plan,  and 
preparations  were  immediately  made  for  its 
execution.  The  baggage,  as  soon  as  it  was 
dark,  was  removed  silently  to  Burlington ;  and 
about  one  o'clock,  after  renewing  their  fires,  J^^T  3- 
and  leaving  their  guards  at  the  bridge  and  other 
passes  over  the  creek  which  runs  through 
Trenton,  to  go  the  rounds  as  usual,  they 
decamped  with  perfect  secrecy,  and  took  a  cir- 
cuitous route  through  Allen's  town  to  Prince- 
ton. At  the  latter  place  three  British  regiments 
had  encamped  the  preceding  night,  two  of 
which  commenced  their  march  early  in  the 
morning  to  join  the  rear  of  their  army  a-t  Maid- 
enhead. About  sunrise*  they  fell  in  with  the 

*  The  march  of  the  enemy  had  been  rendered  much 
more  expeditious,  than  it  could  otherwise  have  been,  by 
a  fortunate  change  of  weather.  On  the  evening  of  the 
second,  it  became  excessively  cold,  and  the  roads  which 
had  become  soft,  were  rendered  as  hard  as  pavement. 


552  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vin.  van  of  the  Americans  conducted  by  general 

1777.    Mercer,  and  a  very  sharp  action  ensued,  which 

however  was  not  of  long  duration.    The  militia, 

of  Princeton  of  which  the  advanced  party  was  principally 
composed,  soon  gave  way,  and  the  few  regu- 
lars attached  to  them  were  not  strong  enough 
to  maintain  their  ground.  General  Mercer 
was  mortally  wounded  while  gallantly  exerting 
himself  to  rally  his  broken  troops,  and  the  van 
was  entirely  routed.  But  the  fortune  of  the  day 
was  soon  changed.  The  main  body  of  the 
army  led  by  general  Washington  in  person 
followed  close  in  the  rear,  and  attacked  the 
enemy  with  great  spirit.  Persuaded  that  defeat 
would  irretrievably  ruin  the  affairs  of  America, 
he  advanced  in  the  very  front  of  danger,  and 
exposed  himself  to  the  hottest  fire  of  the 
enemy.  He  was  so  well  supported  by  the 
same  troops  who  had,  a  few  days  before,  saved 
their  country  at  Trenton,  that  the  British 
in  turn  were  compelled  to  give  way.  Their 
line  was  broken,  and  the  two  regiments  sepa- 
rated from  each  other.  Colonel  Maw  hood  who 
commanded  that  in  front,  forced  his  way 
through  a  part  of  the  American  troops,  and 
reached  Maidenhead.  The  fifty-fifth  regiment, 
which  was  in  the  rear,  retreated,  by  the  way  of 
Hillsborough,  to  Brunswick.  The  vicinity  of 
the  British  forces  at  Maidenhead  secured  colo- 
nel Mawhood  from  being  pursued,  and  general 
Washington  pressed  forward  to  Princeton. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  553 

The  regiment  remaining  in  that  place  saved  CHAP.  vm. 
itself  without  having  sustained  much  loss,  by  a     1777. 
precipitate  retreat  to  Brunswick. 

In  this  action  upwards  of  one  hundred  of  the 
enemy  were  killed  on  the  spot,  and  near  three 
hundred  were  taken  prisoners.  The  loss  of 
the  Americans  in  killed  was  somewhat  less, 
but  in  this  number  was  included  general 
Mercer,  a  very  valuable  officer  from  Virginia, 
who  had  served  with  the  commander  in  chief 
in  the  war  against  the  French  and -Indians 
which  terminated  in  1763,  and  was  greatly 
esteemed  by  him.  Colonels  Haslett  and  Potter, 
two  brave  and  excellent  officers  from  Delaware 
and  Pennsylvania ;  captain  Neal  of  the  artillery, 
captain  Fleming,  who  on  that  day  commanded 
the  seventh  Virginia  regiment,  and  five  other 
valuable  officers,  were  also  among  the  slain. 

On  the  appearance  of  day-light  lord  Corn- 
wallis  discovered  that  the  American  army  had 
moved  off  in  the  night,  and  immediately  con- 
ceived the  whole  plan  which  had  been  formed 
by  Washington.  He  was  under  extreme  ap- 
prehensions for  Brunswick,  where  magazines 
of  great  value  had  been  collected,  and  \vhere, 
it  has  been  understood,  the  military  chest, 
containing  about  seventy  thousand  pounds, 
was  deposited.  Breaking  up  his  camp,  he 
commenced  a  rapid  march  to  that  place,  for 
the  purpose  of  affording  it  protection;  and  was 

VOL.    II.  4  B 


554  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP.  vni.  close  in  the  rear  of  the  American  army  before 
1777.    it  could  leave  Princeton. 

General  Washington  now  again  found  him- 
self in  a  very  perilous  situation.  His  small 
army  was  exhausted  with  extreme  fatigue. 
His  troops  had  been  without  sleep,  all  of  them 
one  night,  and  some  of  them  two.  They  were 
without  blankets;  many  of  them  barefooted, 
and  otherwise  very  thinly  clad.  He  was  closely 
pursued  by  an  enemy,  very  much  superior  in 
point  of  numbers,  wreli  clothed,  not  harassed 
by  loss  of  sleep,  and  who  must  necessarily 
come  up  with  him  before  he  could  accomplish 
his  designs  on  Brunswick,  if  any  opposition 
should  there  be  made  to  him.  Under  these 
circumstances,  he,  very  wisely,  determined 
to  abandon  the  remaining  part  of  his  original 
plan  ;  and,  having  broken  down  the  bridges 
over  Millstone  creek,  between  Princeton  and 
Brunswick,  he  took  the  road  leading  up  the 
country  to  Pltickemin,  where  his  army  were 
permitted  to  refresh  themselves,  and  to  take 
that  rest  which  they  so  greatly  required.  Lord 
Cornwallis  continued  his  march  to  Brunswick 
which  he  reached  in  the  course  of  that  night. 
General  Mathews,  who  commanded  at  that 
place,  had  been  very  greatly  alarmed,  and 
while  he  paraded  his  troops  for  defence  against 
the  American  general  whom  he  expected,  he 
also  used  the  utmost  industry  in  guarding 
agninst  the  worst,  by  removing  the  military 
stores  to  a  place  of  greater  safety. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  555 

The  sufferings  of  the  American  army  had  CHAP,  v HI. 
been  so  great  from  the  severity  of  the  season,  1777. 
and  the  very  active  service  in  which  they  had 
been  engaged ;  their  complaints,  especially  on 
the  part  of  the  militia,  were  so  loud ;  their 
numbers  were  reducing  so  fast  by  returning 
home,  and  by  sickness;  that  general  Wash- 
ington found  it  impracticable,  immediately,  to 
prosecute  further  offensive  operations,  and 
deemed  it  absolutely  necessary  to  retire  to 
Morristown,  in  order  to  put  his  men  under 
cover,  and  to  give  them  some  repose. 

The  bold,  judicious,  and  unexpected  attacks 
made  at  Trenton  and  Princeton,  by  an  enemy 
believed  to  be  vanquished,  had  an  influence  on 
the  fate  of  the  war  much  more  extensive  in  its 
consequences,  than,  from  a  mere  estimate  of 
the  killed  and  taken,  would  be  supposed. 
They  saved  Philadelphia  for  the  present  winter; 
they  recovered  the  state  of  Jersey;  and,  which 
was  of  still  more  importance,  they  revived  the 
drooping  spirits  of  America,  and  gave  a  sen- 
sible impulse  to  the  recruiting  service  through- 
out the  United  States. 

The  problem,  whether  a  nation  can  be 
defended  against  a  permanent  force,  by  tempo- 
rary armies;  by  occasional  calls  of  the  husband- 
man, from  his  plough  to  the  field,  was  already 
solved;  and,  in  its  demonstration,  the  inde- 
pendence of  America  had  nearly  perished  in  its 
cradle.  All  eyes  were  now  turned  on  the 
4  B  2 


556  THE  LIFE  OF 

CHAP,  viii.  army  to  be  created  for  the  ensuing  campaign, 
1777.  as  the  only  solid  basis  on  which  the  hopes  of 
the  patriot  couid  rest.  During  the  retreat 
through  the  Jerseys,  and  while  the  expectation 
prevailed  that  no  effectual  resistance  could  be 
made  to  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  some  spi- 
rited men  indeed  were  only  animated  to  greater 
and  more  determined  exertions;  but  such  was 
not  the  operation  of  this  state  of  things  on  the 
great  mass  from  whence  is  to  be  drawn  the 
solid  force  of  armies.  There  appeared,  espe- 
cially in  the  middle  states,  the  pause  of  distrust. 
Doubts  concerning  the  issue  of  the  contest 
became  more  extensive,  and  the  business  of 
recruiting  proceeded  so  heavily  and  slowly,  as 
to  excite  for  the  future  the  most  anxious  soli- 
citude. 

The  affairs  of  Trenton  and  Princeton  were 
represented,  and  considered  as  great  victories. 
They  wrere  believed,  by  the  body  of  the  people, 
to  evidence  the  superiority  of  their  army,  and 
of  their  general.  The  opinion  that  they  were 
engaged  in  a  hopeless  contest,  yielded  to  a 
confidence  that  proper  exertions  on  their  part, 
would  be  crowned  with  ultimate  success. 

This  change  of  opinion  relative  to  the  issue 
of  the  war,  was  accompanied  with  an  essential 
change  in  their  conduct;  and  although  the 
regiments  required  by  congress  were  not  com- 
pleted, they  were  made  much  stronger  than, 
before  this  happy  revolution  in  the  aspect  of 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  557 

public  affairs,  was  believed  to  have  been  pos-  CHAP.  vm. 
sible.  irrr. 

The  firmness  manifested  by  congress  through-  Firmness  of 

congress. 

out  the  gloomy  and  trying  period  which  inter- 
vened between  the  loss  of  fort  Washington, 
and  the  battle  of  Princeton,  entitles  the  mem- 
bers of  that  day  to  the  admiration  of  the  world, 
and  the  gratitude  of  their  fellow  citizens. 
Unawed  by  the  dangers  which  threatened  them 
and  regardless  of  personal  safety,  they  did  not 
for  an  instant  admit  the  idea,  that  the  indepen- 
dence they  had  declared  was  to  be  surrendered, 
and  peace  to  be  purchased  by  returning  to  their 
ancient  colonial  situation.  As  the  British  army 
advanced  through  Jersey,  and  the  consequent 
insecurity  of  Philadelphia  rendered  an  adjourn- 
ment of  congress  from  that  place  to  one  further 
removed  from  the  seat  of  war,  a  necessary 
measure  of  precaution,  their  exertions  seemed 
to  increase  with  their  difficulties.  They  sought 
to  remove  the  despondence  which  was  seizing 
and  paralyzing  the  public  mind,  by  an  address 
to  the  states,  in  which  every  argument  Avas 
suggested  which  could  rouse  them  to  vigorous 
action.  They  made  the  most  strenuous  efforts, 
too,  to  animate  the  militia,  and  impel  them  to 
the  field,  by  the  agency  of  those  whose  popular 
eloquence*  best  fitted  them  for  such  a  ser- 
vice. 


*  General  Mifflin  was  on  this  occasion  peculiarly  useful. 


558  THE  LIFE  °F 

CHAP,  vin.      When  reassembled  at  Baltimore,  the  place 
1776.    to  which  they  had  adjourned,  their  resolutions 

December ao.  exhibited  no  evidences  of  confusion  or  dismay ; 
and  the  most  judicious  efforts  were  made,  by 
collecting  as  soon  as  possible  a  respectable 
military  force,  to  repair  the  mischief  produced 
by  past  errors. 

D?C.  27.  Declaring  that  in  the  present  situation  of 
things  the  very  existence  of  civil  liberty 
depended  on  the  right  execution  of  military 
powers,  to  a  vigorous  direction  of  which,  dis- 
tant, numerous,  and  deliberative  bodies,  were 
entirely  unequal;  they  authorized  general 
Washington  to  raise  sixteen  additional  regi- 
ments, and  conferred  upon  him,  for  six  months, 
powers  for  the  conduct  of  the  war  which  were 
almost  unlimited. 

When  reduced  to  their  lowest  ebb,  towards 
the  close*  of  1776,  while  the  tide  of  fortune 
was  running  strongest  against  them,  some  few 
members,  distrusting  their  ability  to  make  a 
successful  resistance,  proposed  to  authorise 
commissioners  they  had  deputed  to  the  court 
of  Versailles,  to  transfer  to  that  country  the 
same  monopoly  of  their  trade  which  Great 
Britain  had  hitherto  enjoyed/  This  proposition 
is  stated  to  have  been  relinquished,  because 
it  was  believed  that  conceptions  of  this  kind 
would  destroy  the  force  of  many  arguments 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  559 

which  had  been  used  in  favour  of  independence,  CHAP,  vm. 
and,  probably  disunite  the  people.  It  was  1776. 
next  proposed  to  offer  a  monopoly  of  certain 
enumerated  articles  of  produce.  To  this  the 
variant  interests  of  the  states  were  so  directly 
opposed,  that  it  received  a  speedy  and  decided 
negative.  Some  proposed  offering  to  France  a 
league  offensive  and  defensive;  but  this  also 
was  rejected.  The  more  enlightened  members 
of  congress  argued  that,  though  the  friendship 
of  small  states  might  be  purchased,  that  of 
France  could  not.  They  alleged  that  if  she 
would  risk  a  war  with  Great  Britain  by  openly 
espousing  their  cause,  it  would  not  be  so  much 
from  the  prospect  of  direct  advantages,  as  from 
a  natural  desire  to  lessen  the  overgrown  power 
of  a  dangerous  rival.  It  was  therefore  sup- 
posed that  the  only  inducement  likely  to  influ- 
ence France  to  an  interference,  was  an  assurance 
that  the  United  States  were  determined  to  per- 
severe in  refusing  to  return  to  their  former 
allegiance.  Under  the  influence  of  this  better 
opinion,  resolutions  were  again  entered  into, 
declaratory  of  their  determination  to  listen  to 
no  terms  founded  on  the  idea  of  their  resuming 
the  character  of  British  subjects;  but  trusting 
the  event  to  Providence,  and  risking  all  conse- 
quences, to  adhere  to  the  independence  they 
had  declared,  and  to  the  freedom  of  trade  they 
had  proffered  to  all  nations.  Copies  of  these 
resolutions  were  sent  to  the  principal  courts  of 


560  THE  LIFE  OF»  ^c- 

CHAP.  vm.  Europe;  and  proper  persons  were  appointed  to 
1776.  solicit  their  friendship  to  the  new  formed  states. 
These  dispatches  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
British,  and  by  them  were  published ;  a  cir- 
cumstance by  no  means  unwished  for  by  con- 
gress, who  were  persuaded  that  an  apprehension 
of  their  making  up  all  differences  with  Great 
Britain  was  a  principal  objection  to  the  inter- 
ference of  foreign  courts,  in  what  was  repre- 
sented to  be  no  more  than  a  domestic  quarrel. 
A  resolution  adopted  in  the  deepest  distress, 
and  in  the  worst  of  times,  that  congress  would 
listen  to  no  terms  of  re-union  with  their  parent 
state,  would,  it  was  believed,  convince  those 
who  wished  for  the  dismemberment  of  the 
British  empire,  that  it  was  sound  policy  to 
interfere,  so  far  as  would  prevent  the  conquest 
of  the  United  States. 


END  OF  THE  SECOND  VOLUME. 


NOTES. 


JVOT£....M).  I. 

It  will  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  reader  to  peruse  this 
frst  report  of  a  young  gentleman  who  afterwards  per- 
jbrmed  so  distinguished  a  part  in  the  revolution  of  his 
country,  it  is  therefore  inserted  at  large. 

I  was  commissioned  and  appointed  by  the  hon.  Robert 
Dinwiddie,  esq.  governor,  Sec.  of  Virginia,  to  visit  and 
deliver  a  letter  to  the  commandant  of  the  French  forces 
on  the  Ohio,  and  set  out  on  the  intended  journey  on  the 
same  day :  the  next,  I  arrived  at  Fredericksburg,  and  en- 
gaged mr.  Jacob  Vanbraam  to  be  my  French  interpreter, 
and  proceeded  with  him  to  Alexandria,  where  we  provided 
necessaries.  From  thence  we  went  to  Winchester,  and  got 
baggage,  horses,  &c.  and  from  thence  we  pursued  the  new 
road  to  Wills'  creek,  where  we  arrived  the  14th November. 

Here  I  engaged  mr.  Gist  to  pilot  us  out,  and  also 
hired  four  others  as  servitors,  Barnaby  Currin,  and  John 
M'Quire,  Indian  traders,  Henry  Steward,  and  William 
Jenkins;  and  in  company  with  those  persons  left  the 
inhabitants  the  next  day. 

The  excessive  rains  and  vast  quantity  of  snow  which 
had  fallen,  prevented  our  reaching  mr.  Frazier's,  an 
Indian  trader,  at  the  mouth  of  Turtle  creek,  on  Monon- 
gahela  river,  till  thursday  the  22d.  We  wei-e  informed 
here,  that  expresses  had  been  sent  a  few  days  before  to 
the  traders  down  the  river,  to  acquaint  them  with  the 
French  general's  death,  and  the  return  of  the  major  part, 
of  the  French  army  into  winter  quarters. 

The  waters  were  quite  impassable  without  swimming 
our  horses,  which  obliged  us  to  get  the  loan  of  a  canoe 
from  Frazier,  and  to  send  Barnaby  Currin  and  Henry 
Steward  down  the  Monongahela,  with  our  baggage,  to 

VOL.  ii.  a 


2 

meet  us  at  the  forks  of  Ohio,  about  ten  miles  ;  there,  to 
cross  the  Alleghany. 

As  I  got  down  before,  the  canoe,  I  spent  some  time  in 
viewing-  the  rivers,  and  the  land  in  the  fork,  which  I  think 
extremely  well  situated  for  a  fort,  as  it  has  the  absolute 
command  of  both  rivers.  The  land  at  the  point  is  twerty, 
or  twenty-five  feet  above  the  common  surface  of  the  wattr; 
and  a  considerable  bottom  of  flat,  well  timbered  land  ill 
around  it  very  convenient  for  building.  The  rivers  a-e 
each  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  or  more  across,  and  run  hen 
very  nearly  at  right  angles;  Alleghany,  bearing  north- 
east ;  and  Monongahela,  southeast.  The  former  of  these 
two  is  a  very  rapid  and  swift  running  water,  the  other 
deep  and  still,  without  any  perceptible  fall. 

About  two  miles  from  this,  on  the  southeast  side  of  the 
river,  at  the  place  where  the  Ohio  company  intended  to 
erect  a  fort,  lives  Shingiss,  king  of  the  Delawares.  We 
called  upon  him,  to  invite  him  to  council  at  theLoggstown. 

As  I  had  taken  a  good  deal  of  notice  yesterday  of  the 
situation  at  the  fork,  my  curiosity  led  me  to  examine 
this  more  particularly,  and  I  think  it  greatly  inferior, 
either  for  defence  or  advantages;  especially  the  latter. 
For  a  fort  at  the  fork  would  be  equally  well  situated  on 
the  Ohio,  and  have  the  entire  command  of  the  Monon- 
gahela, which  runs  up  our  settlement,  and  is  extremely 
well  designed  for  water  carriage,  as  it  is  of  a  deep,  still 
nature.  Besides,  a  fort  at  the  fork,  might  be  built  at 
much  less  expense,  than  at  the  other  places. 

Nature  has  well  contrived  this  lower  place  for  water 
defence;  but  the  hill  whereon  it  must  stand  being  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  in  length,  and  then  descending  gradually 
on  the  land  side,  will  render  it  difficult  and  very  expensive 
to  make  a  sufficient  fortification  there.  The  whole  flat 
upon  the  hill  must  be  taken  in,  the  side  next  the  descent 
made  extremely  high,  or  else  the  hill  itself  cut  away: 
otherwise,  the  enemy  may  raise^  batteries  within  that 
distance  without  being  exposed  to  a  single  shot  from  the 
fort. 


Shirgiss  attended  us  to  the  Loggstown,  where  we 
arrived  between  sun-setting  and  dark,  the  twenty-fifth 
day  a/ter  I  left  Williamsburg.  We  travelled  over  some 
extremely  good  and  bad  land  to  get  to  this  place. 

A*  soon  as  I  came  into  town,  I  went  to  Monakatoocha 
(as the  half  king  was  out  at  his  hunting  cabin  on  Little 
Bedver  creek,  about  fifteen  miles  off)  and  informed  him 
byJohn  Davidson,  my  Indian  interpreter,  that  I  was  sent 
amessenger  to  the  French  general ;  and  was  ordered  to 
011  upon  the  sachems  of  the  Six  Nations  to  acquaint  them 
vith  it.  I  gave  him  a  string  of  wampum  and  a  twist  of 
-.obacco,  and  desired  him  to  send  for  the  half  king,  which 
he  promised  to  do  by  a  runner  in  the  morning,  and  for 
other  sachems.  I  invited  him  and  the  other  great  men 
present,  to  my  tent,  where  they  stayed  about  an  hour  and 
returned. 

According  to  the  best  observations  I  could  make,  mr. 
Giff's  new  settlement  (which  we  passed  by)  bears  about 
west  northwest  seventy  miles  from  Wills'  creek ;  Shana- 
pins,  or  the  forks,  north  by  west  or  north  northwest  about 
fifty  miles  from  that;  and  from  thence  to  the  Loggstown, 
the  course  is  nearly  west'about  eighteen  or  twenty  miles : 
so  that  the  whole  distance,  as  we  went  and  computed  it 
is,  at  least,  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  or  one  hundred 
and  forty  miles  from  our  back  inhabitants. 

25th.  Came  to  town,  four  often  Frenchmen,  who  had 
deserted  from  a  company  at  the  Kuskuskas,  which  lies 
at  the  mouth  of  this  river.  I  got  the  following  account 
from  them.  They  were  sent  from  New  Orleans  with  a 
hundred  men,  and  eight  canoe  loads  of  provisions,  to  this 
place,  where  they  expected  to  have  met  the  same  number 
of  men,  from  the  forts  on  this  side  of  lake  Erie,  to  convoy 
them  and  the  stores  up,  who  were  not  arrived  when  they 
ran  off. 

I  inquired  into  the  situation  of  the  French  on  the 
Mississippi,  their  numbers,  and  what  forts  they  had  built. 
They  informed  me,  that  there  were  four  small  forts 
between  New  Orleans  and  the  Black  Islands,  garrisoned 

a  2 


4  

with  about  thirty  or  forty  men,  and  a  few  small  pieces  in 
each.  That  at  New  Orleans,  which  is  near  the  mouth 
of  the  Mississippi,  there  are  thirty -five  companies  o"  forty 
men  each,  with  a  pretty  strong  fort  mounting  eight  carriage 
guns ;  and  at  the  Black  Islands  there  are  several  conpa- 
nies  and  a  fort  with  six  guns.  The  Black  Islands  are  alout 
a  hundred  and  thirty  leagues  above  the  mouth  of  the  Olio, 
which  is  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  above  New  Orleais 
They  also  acquainted  me,  that  there  was  a  small  pali- 
sadoed  fort  on  the  Ohio,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Obaish,  aboit 
sixty  leagues  from  the  Mississippi.  The  Obaish  head 
near  the  west  end  of  lake  Erie,  and  affords  the  commu- 
nication between  the  French  on  the  Mississippi  and  those 
on  the  lakes.  These  deserters  came  up  from  the  lower 
Shannoah  town  with  one  Brown,  an  Indian  trader,  and 
were  going  to  Philadelphia. 

About  three  o'clock  this  evening  the  half  king  came  to 
town.  I  went  up  and  invited  him  with  Davidson,  privately, 
to  my  tent ;  and  desired  him  to  relate  some  of  the  parti- 
culars of  his  journey  to  the  French  commandant,  and  of 
his  reception  there ;  also,  to  give  me  an  account  of  the 
ways  and  distance.  He  told  me,  that  the  nearest  and 
levellest  way  was  now  impassable,  by  reason  of  many  large 
miry  savannas ;  that  we  must  be  obliged  to  go  by  Venango, 
and  should  not  get  to  the  near  fort  in  less  than  five  or  six 
nights  sleep,  good  travelling.  When  he  went  to  the 
fort,  he  said  he  was  received  in  a  very  stern  manner  by 
the  late  commander,  who  asked  him  very  abruptly,  what 
he  had  come  about,  and  to  declare  his  business :  which 
he  said  he  did  in  the  following  speech  : 

"  Fathers.,  I  am  come  to  tell  you  your  own  speeches  ; 
what  your  own  mouths  have  declared.  Fathers,  you,  in 
former  days,  set  a  silver  bason  before  us,  wherein  there 
was  the  leg  of  a  beaver,  and  desired  all  the  nations  to  come 
and  eat  of  it,  to  eat  in  peace  and  plenty,  and  not  to  be  chur- 
lish to  one  another:  and  that  if  any  such  person  should  be 
found  to  be  a  disturber,  I  here  lay  down  by  the  edge  of  the 
dish  a  rod,  which  you  must  scourge  them  with ;  and  if  your 


father  should  get  foolish,  in  my  old  days,  I  desire  you 
may  use  it  upon  me  as  well  as  others. 

"  Now  fathers,  it  is  you  who  are  the  disturbers  in  this 
land,  by  coming  and  building  your  towns ;  and  taking  it 
away  unknown  to  us,  and  by  force. 

"  Fathers,  we  kindled  a  fire  a  long  time  ago,  at  a  place 
called  Montreal,  where  we  desired  you  to  stay,  and  not 
to  come  and  intrude  upon  our  land.  I  now  desire  you 
may  dispatch  to  that  place  ;  for  be  it  known  to  you, 
fathers,  that  this  is  our  land  and  not  yours. 

"  Fathers,  I  desire  you  may  hear  me  in  civilness  ;  if 
not,  we  must  handle  that  rod  which  was  laid  down  for 
the  use  of  the  obstreperous.  If  you  had  come  in  a  peace, 
able  manner,  like  our  brothers  the  English,  we  would 
not  have  been  against  your  trading  with  us,  as  they  do  > 
but  to  come,  fathers,  and  build  houses  upon  our  land, 
and  to  take  it  by  force,  is  what  we  cannot  submit  to. 

"  Fathers,  both  you  and  the  English  are  white,  we 
live  in  a  country  between ;  therefore,  the  land  belongs  to 
neither  one  nor  the  other.  But  the  great  Being  above 
allowed  it  to  be  a  place  of  residence  for  us  ;  so  fathers,  I 
desire  you  to  withdraw,  as  I  have  done  our  brothers  the 
English;  for  I  will  keep  you  at  arms  length.  I  lay  this 
down  as  a  trial  for  both,  to  see  which  will  have  the  greatest 
regard  to  it,  and  that  side  we  will  stand  by,  and  make 
equal  sharers  with  us.  Our  brothers,  the  English,  have 
heard  this,  and  I  come  now  to  tell  it  to  you  ;  for  I  am 
not  afraid  to  discharge  you  off*  this  land." 

This  he  said  was  the  substance  of  what  he  spoke  to  the 
general,  who  made  this  reply. 

"  Now  my  child^  I  have  heard  your  speech :  you 
spoke  first,  but  it  is  my  time  to  speak  now.  Where  is  my 
wampum  that  you  took  away,  with  the  marks  of  towns 
in  it  ?  This  wampum,  I  do  not  know,  which  you  have 
discharged  me  off  the  land  with  :  But  you  need  not  put 
yourself  to  the  trouble  of  speaking,  for  I  will  not  hear 
you.  I  am  not  afraid  of  flies,  or  musquitoes,  for  Indians 
are  such  as  those;  I  tell  you  down  that  river  I  will  go, 


and  build  upon  it,  according  to  my  command.  If  the 
river  was  blocked  up,  I  have  forces  sufficient  to  burst  it 
open,  and  tread  under  my  feet  all  that  stand  in  opposition 
together  with  their  alliances  ;  for  my  force  is  as  the  sand 
upon  the  sea  shore  :  therefore  here  is  your  wampum  ;  I 
sling  it  at  you.  Child,  you  talk  foolish;  you  say  this 
land  belongs  to  you,  but  there  is  not  the  black  of  my  nail 
yours.  I  saw  that  land  sooner  than  you  did,  before  the 
Shannoahs  and  you  were  at  war:  Lead,  was  the  man  who 
went  down  and  took  possession  of  that  river.  It  is  my 
land,  and  I  will  have  it,  let  who  will  stand  up  for,  or  say 
against  it.  I  will  buy  and  sell  with  the  English  (mock- 
ingly.) If  people  will  be  ruled  by  me,  they  may  expect 
kindness,  but  not  else." 

The  half  king  told  me  he  had  inquired  of  the  general 
after  two  Englishmen,  who  were  made  prisoners,  and 
received  this  answer : 

"  Child,  you  think  it  a  very  great  hardship  that  I  made 
prisoners  of  those  two  people  at  Venango.  Don't  you 
concern  yourself  with  it:  we  took  and  carried  them  to 
Canada,  to  get  intelligence  of  what  the  English  were  doing 
in  Virginia." 

He  informed  me  that  they  had  built  two  forts,  one  on 
lake  Erie,  and  another  on  French  creek,  near  a  small 
lake,  about  fifteen  miles  asunder,  and  a  large  waggon 
road  between  :  They  are  both  built  after  the  same  model, 
but  different  in  size  :  that  on  the  lake  the  largest.  He 
gave  me  a  plan  of  them  of  his  own  drawing. 

The  Indians  inquired  very  particularly  after  their 
brothers  in  Carolina  goal. 

They  also  asked  what  sort  of  a  boy  it  was  who  was 
taken  from  the  south  branch ;  for  they  were  told  by  some 
Indians,  that  a  party  of  French  Indians  had  carried  a 
white  boy  by  Kuskuska  town,  towards  the  lakes. 

26th.  We  met  in  council  at  the  long  house  about  nine 
o'clock,  where  I  spoke  to  them  as  follows  : 

"  Brothers,  I  have  called  you  together  in  council,  by 
order  of  your  brother  the  governor  of 'Virginia,  to  acquaint 


you,  that  I  am  sent  with  all  possible  dispatch,  to  visit, 
and  deliver  a  letter  to  the  French  commandant,  of  very 
great  importance  to  your  brothers  the  English  ;  and  I 
dare  say  to  you,  their  friends  and  allies. 

"  I  was  desired,  brothers,  by  your  brother  the  gover- 
nor to  call  upon  you,  the  sachems  of  the  nations,  to 
inform  you  of  it,  and  to  ask  your  advice  and  assistance  to 
proceed  the  nearest  and  best  road  to  the  French.  You 
see,  brothers,  I  have  gotten  thus  far  on  my  journey. 

"  His  honour  likewise  desired  me  to  apply  to  you  for 
some  of  your  young  men  to  conduct  and  provide  provi- 
sions for  us  on  our  way  ;  and  be  a  safe  guard  against 
those  French  Indians  who  have  taken  up  the  hatchet 
against  us.  I  have  spoken  thus  particularly  to  you, 
brothers,  because  his  honour  our  governor  treats  you  as 
good  friends  and  allies,  and  holds  you  in  great  esteem. 
To  confirm  what  I  have  said,  I  give  you  this  string  of 
wampum." 

After  they  had  considered  for  some  time  on  the  above 
discourse,  the  half  king  got  up  and  spoke  : 

"  Now  my  brother,  in  regard  to  what  my  brother  the 
governor  had  desired  of  me,  I  return  you  this  answer. 

"  I  rely  upon  you  as  a  brother  ought  to  do,  as  you  say 
we  are  brothers,  and  one  people.  We  shall  put  heart  in 
hand,  and  speak  to  our  fathers,  the  French,  concerning 
the  speech  they  made  to  me ;  and  you  may  depend  that 
we  will  endeavour  to  be  your  guai'd. 

"  Brother,  as  you  have  asked  my  advice,  I  hope  you 
will  be  ruled  by  it,  and  stay  until  I  can  provide  a  company 
to  go  with  you.  The  French  speech  belt  is  not  here,  I 
have  it  to  go  for  to  my  hunting  cabin.  Likewise,  the 
people  whom  I  have  ordered  in  are  not  yet  come,  and 
cannot  until  the  third  night  from  this  ;  until  which  time 
brother  I  must  beg  you  to  stay. 

"  I  intend  to  send  the  guard  of  Mingos,  Shannoahs, 
and  Delawares,  that  our  brothers  may  see  the  love  and 
loyalty  we  bear  them." 


—  8  — 

As  I  had  orders  to  make  all  possible  dispatch,  and  wait- 
ing here  was  very  contrary  to  my  inclination,  I  thanked 
him  in  the  most  suitable  manner  I  could ;  and  told  him 
that  my  business  required  the  greatest  expedition,  and 
would  not  admit  of  that  delay.  He  was  not  well  pleased 
that  I  should  offer  to  go  before  the  time  he  had  appointed, 
and  told  me,  that  he  could  not  consent  to  our  going 
without  a  guard,  for  fear  some  accident  should  befal  us? 
and  draw  a  reflection  upon  him.  Besides,  said  he,  this  is 
a  matter  of  no  small  moment,  and  must  not  be  entered 
into  Avithout  due  consideration  ;  for  I  intend  to  deliver  up 
the  French  speech  belt,  and  make  the  Shannoahs  and 
Delawares  do  the  same.  And  accordingly  he  gave  orders 
to  king  Shingiss,  who  was  present,  to  attend  on  Wednesday 
night  with  the  wampum,  and  two  men  of  their  nation  to 
be  in  readiness  to  set  out  with  us  next  morning.  As  I 
found  it  was  impossible  to  get  off  without  affronting  them 
in  the  most  egregious  manner,  I  consented  to  stay. 

I  gave  them  back  a  string  of  wampum  which  I  met 
with  at  mr.  Frazier's,  and  which  they  sent  with  a  speech 
to  his  honour  the  governor,  to  inform  him,  that  three 
nations  of  French  Indians,  viz.  Chippoways,  Ottoways, 
and  Orundaks,  had  taken  up  the  hatchet  against  the 
English  ;  and  desired  them  to  repeat  it  over  again.  But 
this  they  postponed  doing  until  they  met  in  full  council 
with  the  Shannoah  and  Delaware  chiefs. 

27th.  Runners  were  dispatched  very  early  for  the 
Shannoah  chiefs.  The  half  king  set  out  himself  to  fetch 
the  French  speech  belt  from  his  hunting  cabbin. 

28th.  He  returned  this  evening,  and  came  with  Mo- 
nakatoocha,  and  two  other  sachems  to  my  tent ;  and 
begged  (as  they  had  complied  with  his  honour  the 
governor's  request,  in  providing  men,  &c.)  to  know  on 
what  business  we  were  going  to  the  French  ?  This  was  a 
question  I  had  all  along  expected,  and  had  provided  as 
satisfactory  answers  to,  as  I  could ;  which  allayed  their 
curiosity  a  little. 


Monakatoocha  informed  me,  that  an  Indian  from 
Venango  brought  news,  a  few  days  ago,  that  the  French 
had  called  all  the  Mingos,  Delawares,  &c.  together  at  that 
place;  and  told  them  that  they  intended  to  have  been 
down  the  river  this  fall,  but  the  waters  were  growing 
cold,  and  the  winter  advancing,  which  obliged  them  to 
go  into  quarters  ;  but  that  they  might  assuredly  expect 
them  in  the  spring,  with  a  far  greater  number ;  and 
desired  that  they  might  be  quite  passive,  and  not  inter- 
meddle unless  they  had  a  mind  to  draw  all  their  force 
upon  them :  for  that  they  expected  to  fight  the  English 
three  years  (as  they  supposed  there  would  be  some 
attempts  made  to  stop  them)  in  which  time  they  should 
conquer.  But  that  if  they  should  prove  equally  strong, 
they  and  the  English,  would  join  to  cut  them  all  off,  and 
divide  the  land  between  them:  that  though  they  had 
lost  their  general,  and  some  few  of  their  soldiers,  yet 
there  were  men  enough  to  re-enforce  them,  and  make 
them  masters  of  the  Ohio. 

This  speech,  he  said,  was  delivered  to  them  by  one 
captain  Joncaire,  their  interpreter  in  chief,  living  at 
Venango,  and  a  man  of  note  in  the  army. 

29th.  The  half  king  and  Monakatoocha,  came  very 
early  and  begged  me  to  stay  one  day  more :  for  notwith- 
standing they  had  used  all  the  diligence  in  their  power, 
the  Shannoah  chiefs  had  not  brought  the  wampum  they 
ordered,  but  would  certainly  be  in  to  night;  if  not,  they 
would  delay  me  no  longer,  but  would  send  it  after  us  as 
soon  as  they  arrived.  When  I  found  them  so  pressing 
in  their  request,  and  knew  that  returning  of  wampum 
w'us  the  abolishing  of  agreements  ;  and  giving  this  up 
was  shaking  off  all  dependence  upon  the  French,  I  con- 
sented to  stay,  as  I  believed  an  offence  offered  at  this 
crisis,  might  be  attended  with  greater  ill  consequence, 
than  another  day's  delay.  They  also  informed  me,  that 
Shingiss  could  not  get  in  his  men ;  and  was  prevented 
from  coming  himself  by  his  Avife's  sickness  ;  (I  believe, 
by  fear  of  the  French)  but  that  the  wampum  of  that 

VOL.   IT.  b 


—  10  — • 

nation  was  lodged  with  Kustaloga  one  of  their  chiefs  at 
Venango. 

In  the  evening,  late,  they  came  again,  and  acquainted 
me  that  the  Shannoahs  were  not  yet  arrived,  but  that  it 
should  not  retard  the  prosecution  of  our  journey.  He 
delivered  in  my  hearing  the  speech  that  was  to  be  made 
to  the  French  by  Jeskakake  one  of  their  old  chiefs,  which 
was  giving  up  the  belt  the  late  commandant  had  asked 
for,  and  repeating  nearly  the  same  speech  he  himself 
had  done  before. 

He  also  delivered  a  string  of  wampum  to  this  chief, 
which  was  sent  by  king  Shingiss,  to  be  given  to  Kustaloga, 
with  orders  to  repair  to  the  French,  and  deliver  up  the 
wampum. 

He  likewise  gave  a  very  large  string  of  black  and  white 
wampum,  which  was  to  be  sent  up  immediately  to  the 
Six  Nations,  if  the  French  refused  to  quit  the  land  at 
this  warning  ;  which  was  the  third  and  last  time,  and 
was  the  right  of  this  Jeskakake  to  deliver. 

30th.  Last  night,  the  great  men  assembled  at  their 
council  house,  to  consult  further  about  this  journey,  and 
who  were  to  go  :  The  result  of  which  was,  that  only 
three  of  their  chiefs,  with  one  of  their  best  hunters, 
should  be  our  convoy.  The  reason  they  gave  for  not 
sending  more,  after  what  had  been  proposed  at  council 
the  26th,  was,  that  a  greater  number  might  give  the 
French  suspicions  of  some  bad  design,  and  cause  them 
to  be  treated  rudely  :  But  I  rather  think  they  could  not 
get  their  hunters  in. 

We  set  out  about  nine  o'clock  with  the  half  king, 
Jeskakake,  White  Thunder,  and  the  Hunter;  and  tra- 
velled on  the  road  to  Venango,  where  we  arrived  the 
fourth  of  December,  without  any  thing  remarkable  hap- 
pening but  a  continued  series  of  bad  weather. 

This  is  an  old  Indian  town,  situated  at  the  mouth  of 
French  creek,  on  Ohio  ;  and  lies  near  north  about  sixty 
miles  from  the  Loggs  town,  but  more  than  seventy  the 
way  we  were  obliged  to  go. 


We  found  the  French  colours  hoisted  at  a  house  from 
which  they  had  driven  mr.  John  Frazier,  an  English 
subject.  I  immediately  repaired  to  it,  to  know  where 
the  commander  resided.  There  were  three  officers,  one 
of  whom,  captain  Joncaire,  informed  me  that  he  had  the 
command  of  the  Ohio  :  but  that  there  was  a  general 
officer  at  the  near  fort,  where  he  advised  me  to  apply  for 
an  answer.  He  invited  us  to  sup  with  them ;  and  treated 
us  with  the  greatest  complaisance. 

The  wine,  as  they  dosed  themselves  pretty  plentifully 
with  it,  soon  banished  the  restraint  which  at  first  appeared 
in  their  conversation,  and  gave  a  license  to  their  tongues 
to  reveal  their  sentiments  more  freely. 

They  told  me,  that  it  was  their  absolute  design  to  take 
possession  of  the  Ohio,  and  by  G..d  they  would  do  it: 
For  that,  although  they  were  sensible  the  English  could 
raise  two  men  for  their  one  ;  yet  they  knew  their  motions 
were  too  slow  and  dilatory  to  prevent  any  undertaking  of 
theirs.  They  pretend  to  have  an  undoubted  right  to  the 
river  from  a  discovery  made  by  one  La  Solle,  sixty  years 
ago  :  and  the  rise  of  this  expedition  is,  to  prevent  our 
settling  on  the  river  or  waters  of  it,  as  they  heard  of 
some  families  moving  out  in  order  thereto.  From  the 
best  intelligence  I  could  get,  there  have  been  fifteen 
hundred  men  on  this  side  Ontario  lake.  But  upon  the 
death  of  the  general,  all  were  recalled  to  about  six  or 
seven  hundred,  who  were  left  to  garrison  four  forts,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  or  thereabout  in  each.  The  first  of 
them  is  on  French  creek,  near  a  small  lake,  about  sixty 
miles  from  Venango,  near  north  northwest :  the  next 
lies  on  lake  Erie,  where  the  greater  part  of  their  stores 
are  kept,  about  fifteen  miles  from  the  other :  from  this 
it  is  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  to  the  carrying  place, 
at  the  falls  of  Lake  Erie,  where  there  is  a  small  fort,  at 
which  they  lodge  their  goods  in  bringing  them  from 
Montreal,  the  place  from  whence  all  their  stores  are 
brought.  The  next  fort  lies  about  twenty  miles  from  this, 
on  Ontario  lake.  Between  this  fort  and  Montreal,  there 

b2 


—  12  — 

are  three  others,  the  first  of  which  is  nearly  opposite  to 
the  English  fort  Oswego.  From  the  fort  on  lake  Erie 
to  Montreal  is  about  six  hundred  miles  which,  they  say, 
requires  no  more,  (if  good  weather,)  than  four  weeks 
voyage,  if  they  go  in  barks  or  large  vessels,  so  that  they 
may  cross  the  lake  :  but  if  they  come  in  canoes,  it  will 
require  five  or  six  weeks,  for  they  are  obliged  to  keep 
under  the  shore. 

5th.  Rained  excessively  all  day,  which  prevented  our 
travelling.  Captain  Joncaire  sent  for  the  half  king,  as 
he  had  but  just  heard  that  he  came  with  me.  He  affected 
to  be  much  concerned  that  I  did  not  make  free  to  bring 
them  in  before.  I  excused  it  in  the  best  manner  of  which 
I  was  capable,  and  told  him,  I  did  not  think  their  com- 
pany agreeable,  as  I  had  heard  him  say  a  good  deal  in 
dispraise  of  Indians  in  general :  but  another  motive  pre- 
vented me  from  bringing  them  into  his  company:  I 
knew  that  he  was  an  interpreter,  and  a  person  of  very 
great  influence  among  the  Indians,  and  had  lately  used 
all  possible  means  to  draw  them  over  to  his  interest, 
therefore,  I  was  desirous  of  giving  him  no  opportunity 
that  could  be  avoided. 

When  they  came  in,  there  was  great  pleasure  expressed 
at  seeing  them.  He  wondered  how  they  could  be  so 
near  without  coming  to  visit  him,  made  several  trifling 
presents  ;  and  applied  liquor  so  fast,  that  they  were  soon 
rendered  incapable  of  the  business  they  came  about,  not- 
withstanding the  caution  which  was  given. 

6th.  The  half  king  came  to  my  tent,  quite  sober,  and 
insisted  very  much  that  I  should  stay  and  hear  what  he 
had  to  say  to  the  French.  I  fain  would  have  prevented 
him  from  speaking  any  thing  until  he  came  to  the  com- 
mandant, but  could  not  prevail.  He  told  me,  that  at  this 
place  a  council  fire  was  kindled,  where  all  their  business 
with  these  people  was  to  be  transacted,  and  that  the 
management  of  the  Indian  affairs  was  left  solely  to  mon- 
sieur Joncaire.  As  I  was  desirous  of  knowing  the  issue 
of  thte  I  agreed  to  stay ;  but  sent  our  horses  a  little  way 


—  13  — 

up  French  creek,   to   raft   over  and  encamp ;    which  I 
knew  would  make  it  near  night. 

About  ten  o'clock,  they  met  in  council.  The  king 
spoke  much  the  same  as  he  had  before  done  to  the  general ; 
and  offered  the  French  speech  belt  which  had  before  been 
demanded,  with  the  marks  of  four  towns  on  it,  which 
monsieur  Joncaire  refused  to  receive,  but  desired  him  to 
carry  it  to  the  fort  to  the  commander. 

7th.  Monsieur  la  Force,  commissary  of  the  French 
stores,  and  three  other  soldiers,  came  over  to  accompany 
us  up.  We  found  it  extremely  difficult  to  get  the  Indians 
off  to  day,  as  every  stratagem  had  been  used  to  prevent 
their  going  up  with  me.  I  had  last  night  left  John  Da- 
vidson (the  Indian  interpreter)  whom  I  brought  with  me 
from  town,  and  strictly  charged  him  not  to  be  out  of  their 
company,  as  I  could  not  get  them  over  to  my  tent ;  for 
they  had  some  business  with  Kustaloga,  chiefly  to  know 
why  he  did  not  deliver  up  the  French  belt  which  he  had 
in  keeping:  but  I  was  obliged  to  send  mr.  Gist  over  to 
day  to  fetch  them ;  which  he  did  with  great  persuasion. 

At  twelve  o'clock,  we  set  out  for  the  fort,  and  were 
prevented  from  arriving  there  until  the  eleventh  by  exces- 
sive rains,  snows,  and  bad  travelling  through  many  mires 
and  swamps ;  these  we  Avere  obliged  to  pass  to  avoid  cross- 
ing the  creek,  which  was  impossible,  either  by  fording 
or  rafting,  the  water  was  so  high  and  rapid. 

We  passed  over  much  good  land  since  we  left  Venango, 
and  through  several  extensive  and  very  rich  meadows, 
one  of  which  I  believe  was  nearly  four  miles  in  length, 
and  considerably  wide  in  some  places. 

12th.  I  prepared  early  to  wait  upon  the  commander, 
and  was  received,  and  conducted  to  him  by  the  second 
officer  in  command.  I  acquainted  him  with  my  business, 
and  offered  my  commission  and  letter:  both  of  which  he 
desired  me  to  keep  until  the  arrival  of  monsieur  Reparti, 
captain  at  the  next  fort,  who  was  sent  for  and  expected 
every  hour. 


--  14  — 

This  commander  is  a  knight  of  the  military  order  of 
St.  Lewis,  and  named  Legardeur  de  St.  Pierre.  He  is  an 
elderly  gentleman,  and  has  much  the  air  of  a  soldier. 
He  was  sent  over  to  take  the  command,  immediately 
upon  the  death  of  the  late  general,  and  arrived  here 
about  seven  days  before  me. 

At  two  o'clock,  the  gentleman  who  was  sent  for,  ar- 
rived, when  I  offered  the  letter,  &c.  again,  which  they 
received,  and  adjourned  into  a  private  apartment  for  the 
captain  to  translate,  who  understood  a  little  English. 
After  he  had  done  it,  the  commander  desired  I  would 
walk  in  and  bring  my  interpreter  to  peruse  and  correct  it ; 
which  I  did. 

13th.  The  chief  officers  retired  to  hold  a  council  of 
•war ;  which  gave  me  an  opportunity  of  taking  the  dimen- 
sions of  the  fort,  and  making  what  observations  I  could. 

It  is  situated  on  the  south,  or  west  fork  of  French  creek, 
near  the  water;  and  is  almost  surrounded  by  the  creek, 
and  a  small  branch  of  it  which  forms  a  kind  of  island. 
Four  houses  compose  the  sides.  The  bastions  are  made 
of  piles  driven  into  the  ground,  standing  more  than  twelve 
feet  above  it,  and  sharp  at  top ;  with  port  holes  cut  for 
cannon,  and  loop  holes  for  the  small  arms  to  fire  through. 
There  are  eight  six  pound  pieces  mounted  in  each  bastion, 
and  one  piece  of  four  pound  before  the  gate.  In  the  bas- 
tions are  a  guard  house,  chapel,  doctor's  lodging,  and  the 
commander's  private  store:  round  which  are  laid  plat- 
forms for  the  cannon  and  men  to  stand  on.  There  are 
several  barracks  without  the  fort,  for  the  soldiers>|rdwelling, 
covered,  some  with  bark,  and  some  with  boards,  made 
chiefly  of  logs.  There  are  also  several  other  houses, 
such  as  stables,  smith's  shop,  8cc. 

I  could  get  no  certain  account  of  the  number  of  men 
here ;  but  according  to  the  best  judgment  I  could  form, 
there  are  an  hundred,  exclusive  of  officers,  of  which  there 
are  many.  I  also  gave  orders  to  the  people  who  were 
with  me,  to  take  an  exact  account  of  the  canoes  which 
were  hauled  up  to  convey  their  forces  down  in  the  soring. 


1  ^ 

J.  *J 

This  they  did,  and  told  fifty  of  birch  bark,  and  an  hun- 
dred and  seventy  of  pine;  besides  many  others  which 
were  blocked  out,  in  readiness  for  being  made. 

14th.  As  the  snow  increased  very  fast,  and  our  horses 
daily  became  weaker,  I  sent  them  off  unloaded,  under 
the  care  of  Barnaby  Currin  and  two  others,  to  make  all 
convenient  dispatch  to  Venango,  and  there  to  wait  our 
arrival,  if  there  was  a  prospect  of  the  river's  freezing:  if 
not,  then  to  continue  down  to  Shanapin's  town,  at  the 
forks  of  Ohio,  and  there  to  wait  until  we  came  to  cross 
the  Alleghany;  intending  myself  to  go  down  by  water, 
as  I  had  the  offer  of  a  canoe  or  two. 

As  I  found  many  plots  concerted  to  retard  the  Indians' 
business,  and  prevent  their  returning  with  me;  I  endea- 
voured all  that  lay  in  my  power  to  frustrate  their  schemes, 
and  hurried  them  on  to  execute  their  intended  design. 
They  accordingly  pressed  for  admittance  this  evening, 
which  at  length  was  granted  them,  privately,  to  the  com- 
mander and  one  or  two  other  officers.  The  half  king  told 
me  that  he  offered  the  wampum  to  the  commander,  who 
evaded  taking  it,  and  made  many  fair  promises  of  love 
and  friendship ;  said,  he  wanted  to  live  in  peace  and  trade 
amicably  with  them,  as  a  proof  of  which,  he  would  send 
some  goods  immediately  down  to  the  Loggs  town  for 
them.  But  I  rather  think  the  design  of  that  is,  to  bring 
away  all  our  straggling  traders  they  meet  with,  as  I  pri- 
vately understood  they  intended  to  carry  an  officer,  Sec. 
with  them.  And  what  rather  confirms  this  opinion,  I 
was  inquiring  of  the  commander  by  what  authority  he 
had  made  prisoners  of  several  of  our  English  subjects. 
He  told  me  that  the  country  belonged  to  them ;  that  no 
Englishman  had  a  right  to  trade  upon  those  waters ;  and 
that  he  had  orders  to  make  every  person  prisoner  who 
attempted  it  on  the  Ohio,  or  the  waters  of  it. 

I  inquired  of  captain  Riparti  about  the  boy  that  was 
carried  by  this  place,  as  it  was  done  while  the  command 
devolved  on  him,  between  the  death  of  the  late  general, 
and  the  arrival  of  the  present.  He  acknowledged  that  a 


—  16  — 

boy  had  been  carried  past:  and  that  the  Indians  had  two 
or  three  white  men's  scalps,  (I  was  told  by  some  of  the 
Indians  at  Venango,  eight)  but  pretended  to  have  forgotten 
the  name  of  the  place  where  the  boy  came  from,  and  all 
the  particular  facts,  though  he  had  questioned  him  for 
some  hours,  as  they  were  carrying  past.  I  likewise 
inquired  what  they  had  done  with  John  Trotter  and  James 
M'Clocklan,  two  Pennsylvania  traders,'  whom  they  had 
taken  with  all  their  goods.  They  told  me  that  they  had 
been  sent  to  Canada,  but  were  now  returned  home. 

This  evening,  I  received  an  answer  to  his  honour,  the 
governor's  letter,  from  the  commandant. 

!5th.  The  commandant  ordered  a  plentiful  store  of 
liquor,  provision,  See.  to  be  put  on  board  our  canoes  and 
appeared  to  be  extremely  complaisant,  though  he  was 
exerting  every  artifice  which  he  could  invent  to  set  our 
Indians  at  variance  with  us,  to  prevent  their  going  until 
after  our  departure :  presents,  rewards,  and  every  thing 
which  could  be  suggested  by  him  or  his  officers.  I  cannot 
say  that  ever  in  my  life  I  suffered  so  much  anxiety  as  I 
did  in  this  affair:  I  saw  that  every  stratagem,  which  the 
most  fruitful  brain  could  invent,  was  practised  to  win  the 
half  king  to  their  interest;  and  that  leaving  him  there 
was  giving  them  the  opportunity  they  aimed  at.  I  went 
to  the  half  king  and  pressed  him  in  the  strongest  terms 
to  go ;  he  told  me  that  the  commandant  would  not  dis- 
charge him  until  the  morning.  I  then  went  to  the  com- 
mandant, and  desired  him  to  do  their  business,  and  com- 
plained of  ill  treatment ;  for  keeping  them,  as  they  were 
part  of  my  company,  was  detaining  me.  This  he  pro- 
mised not  to  do,  but  to  forward  my  journey  as  much  as 
he  could.  He  protested  he  did  not  keep  them,  but  was 
ignorant  of  the  cause  of  their -stay;  though  I  soon  found 
it  out.  He  had  promised  them  a  present  of  guns,  Jkc.  if 
they  would  wait  until  the  morning.  As  I  was  very  much 
pressed  by  the  Indians  to  wait  this  day  for  them,  I  con- 
sented, on  a  promise  that  nothing  should  hinder  them,  in 
the  morning. 


—  17  — 

16th.  The  French  were  not  slack  in  their  inventions 
to  keep  the  Indians  this  clay  also.  But  as  they  were 
obliged,  according  to  promise,  to  give  the  present,  they 
then  endeavoured  to  try  the  power  of  liquor,  which  I 
doubt  not  would  have  prevailed  at  any  other  time  than 
this  :  but  I  urged  and  insisted  with  the  king  so  closely 
upon  his  word,  that  he  refrained,  and  set  off  with  us  as  he 
had  engaged. 

We  had  a  tedious  and  very  fatiguing  passage  down  the 
creek.  Several  times  we  had  like  to  have  been  staved 
against  rocks ;  and  many  times  were  obliged  all  hands  to 
get  out  and  remain  in  the  water  half  an  hour  or  more, 
getting  over  the  shoals.  At  one  place,  the  ice  had  lodged, 
and  made  it  impassable  by  water  ;  we  were,  therefore, 
obliged  to  carry  our  canoe  across  the  neck  of  land,  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  over.  We  did  not  reach  Venango  until 
the  22d,  where  we  met  with  our  horses. 

This  creek  is  extremely  crooked.  I  dare  say  the  dis- 
tance between  the  fort  and  Venango,  cannot  be  less  than 
one  hundred  and  thirty  miles  to  follow  the  meanders. 

23d.  When  I  got  things  ready  to  set  off,  I  sent  for  the 
half  king,  to  know  whether  he  intended  to  go  with  us,  or 
by  water.  He  told  me  that  White  Thunder  had  hurt 
himself  much,  and  was  sick,  and  unable  to  walk  ;  there- 
fore he  was  obliged  to  carry  him  down  in  a  canoe.  As  I 
found  he  intended  to  stay  here  a  day  or  two,  and  knew 
that  monsieur  Joncaire  would  employ  every  scheme  to 
set  him  against  the  English,  as  he  had  before  done,  I 
told  him,  I  hoped  he  would  guard  against  his  flattery, 
and  let  no  fine  speeches  influence  him  in  their  favour. 
He  desired  I  might  not  be  concerned,  for  he  knew  the 
French  too  well,  for  any  thing  to  engage  him  in  their 
favour  ;  and  that  though  he  could  not  go  down  with  us, 
he  yet  would  endeavour  to  meet  at  the  forks  with  Joseph 
Campbell,  to  deliver  a  speech  for  me  to  carry  to  his 
honour  the  governor.  He  told  me  he  would  order  the 
Young  Hunter  to  attend  us,  and  get  provision,  &c.  if 
wanted. 

VOL.    II.  C 


— -  18  — - 

Our  horses  were  now  so  weak  and  feeble,  and  the  bag- 
gage so  heavy,  (as  we  were  obliged  to  provide  all  the 
necessaries  which  the  journey  would  require)  that  we 
doubted  much  their  performing  it.  Therefore,  myself 
and  others,  except  the  drivers,  who  were  obliged  to  ride, 
gave  up  our  horses  for  packs,  to  assist  along  with  the 
baggage.  I  put  myself  in  an  Indian  walking  dress,  and 
continued  with  them  three  days,  until  I  found  there  was 
no  probability  of  their  getting  home  in  any  reasonable 
time.  The  horses  became  less  able  to  travel  every  day  ; 
the  cold  increased  very  fast ;  and  the  roads  were  becoming 
much  worse  by  a  deep  snow,  continually  freezing : 
therefore,  as  I  was  uneasy  to  get  back,  to  make  report 
of  my  proceedings  to  his  honour  the  governor,  I  deter- 
mined to  prosecute  my  journey,  the  nearest  way  through 
the  woods,  on  foot. 

Accordingly,  I  left  mr.  Vanbraam  in  charge  of  our 
baggage,  with  money  and  directions  to  provide  necessa- 
ries from  place  to  place  for  them  self  es  and  horses,  and 
to  make  the  most  convenient  dispatch  in  travelling. 

I  took  my  necessary  papers,  pulled  off  my  clothes,  and 
tied  myself  up  in  a  watch  coat.  Then,  with  gun  in  hand, 
and  pack  on  my  back,  in  which  were  my  papers  and  pro- 
visions, I  set  out  with  mr.  Gist,  fitted  in  the  same  manner, 
on  Wednesday  the  26th.  The  day  following,  just  after 
we  had  passed  a  place  called  Murdering  town,  (where 
\ve  intended  to  quit  the  path  and  steer  across  the  country 
for  Shannapins  town)  we  fell  in  with  a  party  of  French 
Indians,  who  had  lai*.  in  wait  for  us.  One  of  them  fired 
at  mr.  Gist  or  me,  not  fifteen  steps  off,  but  fortunately 
missed.  We  took  this  fellow  into  custody,  and  kept  him 
until  about  nine  o'clock  at  night,  then  let  him  go,  and 
walked  all  the  remaining  part  of  the  night  without  making 
any  stop,  that  we  might  get  the  start,  so  far,  as  to  be 
out  of  the  reach  of  their  pursuit  the  next  day,  since  we 
were  well  assured  they  would  follow  our  track  as  soon  as 
it  was  light.  The  next  day  we  continued  travelling  until 
quite  dark>  and  got  to  the  river  about  two  miles  above 


in  -—. 

JL  J 

Shannapins.  We  expected  to  have  found  the  river  frozen, 
but  it  was  not,  only  about  fifty  yards  from  each  shore  : 
The  ice  I  suppose  had  broken  up  above,  for  it  was  driving 
in  vast  quantities. 

There  was  no  way  for  getting  over  but  on  a  raft ; 
which  we  set  about,  with  but  one  poor  hatchet,  and 
finished  just  after  sun  setting.  This  was  a  whole  day's 
work  :  we  next  got  it  launched,  then  went  on  board  of 
it,  and  set  off:  but  before  we  were  half  way  over,  we 
were  jammed  in  the  ice,  in  such  a  manner,  that  we 
expected  every  moment  our  raft  to  sink,  and  ourselves  to 
perish.  I  put  out  my  setting  pole  to  try  to  stop  the  raft, 
that  the  ice  might  pass  by  ;  when  the  rapidity  of  the 
stream  threw  it  with  so  much  violence  against  the  pole, 
that  it  jerked  me  out  into  ten  feet  water :  but  I  fortu- 
nately saved  myself  by  catching  hold  of  one  of  the  raft 
logs.  Notwithstanding  all  our  efforts,  we  could  not  get 
to  either  shore,  but  were  obliged,  as  we  were  near  an 
island  to  quit  our  raft  and  make  to  it. 

The  cold  was  so  extremely  severe,  that  mr.  Gist  had 
all  his  fingers,  and  some  of  his  toes  frozen,  and  the  water 
was  shut  up  so  hard,  that  we  found  no  difficulty  in  getting 
off  the  island,  on  the  ice,  in  the  morning,  and  went  to 
mr.  Frazier's.  We  met  here  with  twenty  warriors,  who 
were  going  to  the  southward  to  war :  but  coming  to  a 
place  on  the  head  of  the  great  Kanawa,  where  they  found 
seven  people  killed  and  scalped,  (all  but  one  woman  with 
very  light  hair)  they  turned  about  and  ran  back,  for  fear 
the  inhabitants  should  rise  and  take  them  as  the  authors 
of  the  murder.  They  report  that  the  bodies  were  lying 
about  the  house,  and  some  of  them  much  torn  and  eaten 
by  the  hogs.  By  the  marks  which  were  left,  they  say 
they  were  French  Indians  of  the  Ottoway  nation,  8cc.  who 
did  it. 

As  we  intended  to  take  horses  here,  and  it  required 
some  time  to  find  them,  I  went  up  about  three  miles  to 
the  mouth  of  Yohogany  to  visit  queen  Alliquippa,  who 
had  expressed  great  concern  that  we  passed  her  in  going 

c  2 


—  20  — 

to  the  fort,  I  made  her  a  present  of  a  watch  coat,  and  a 
bottle  of  rum,  which  latter  was  thought  much  the  best 
present  of  the  two. 

Tuesday,  the  first  of  January,  we  left  mr.  Frazier's 
house,  and  arrived  at  mr.  Gist's  at  Monongahela,  the 
second,  where  I  bought  a  horse,  saddle  8cc.  The  sixth, 
we  met  seventeen  horses  loaded  with  materials  and  stores 
for  a  fort  at  the  forks  of  Ohio,  and  the  day  after,  some 
families  going  out  to  settle.  This  clay,  we  arrived  at 
Will's  creek,  after  as  fatiguing  a  journey  as  it  is  possible 
to  conceive,  rendered  so  by  excessive  bad  weather.  From 
the  first  day  of  December  to  the  fifteenth,  there  was  but 
one  day  on  which  it  drd  not  rain  or  snow  incessantly  ; 
and  throughout  the  whole  journey,  we  met  with  nothing 
but  one  continued  series  of  cold,  wet  weather,  which 
occasioned  very  uncomfortable  lodgings,  especially  after 
we  had  quitted  our  tent  which  was  some  screen  from  the 
inclemency  of  it. 

On  the  1 1th,  T  got  to  Belvoir  where  I  stopped  one  day 
to  take  necessary  rest  ;  and  then  set  out  and  arrived  in 
William sburg,  the  16th;  when  I  waited  upon  his  honour 
the  governor  with  the  letter  I  had  brought  from  the  French 
commandant ;  and  to  give  an  account  of  the  success  of 
my  proceedings.  This  I  beg  leave  to  do  by  offering  the 
foregoing  narrative,  as  it  contains  the  most  remarkable 
occurrences  which  happened  in  my  journey. 

I  hope  what  has  been  said  will  be  sufficient  to  make 
your  honour  satisfied  with  niy  conduct ;  for  that  was  my 
aim  in  undertaking  the  journey,  and  chief  study  through- 
out the  prosecution  of  it. 


WO.  ii. 

The  author  is  indebted,  for  the  letter  alluded  to^  to  the  editor 

of  the  Lancaster  Journal. 
Sir, 

I  am  really  sorry  that  I  have  it  not  in  my  power  to 
answer  your  request,  in  a  more  satisfactory  manner.     If 


—  21  — 

you  had  favoured  me  with  the  journal  a  few  days  sooner, 
I  would  have  examined  it  carefully,  and  endeavoured  to 
point  out  such  errors  as  might  conduce  to  your  use,  my 
advantage,  and  the  public  satisfaction  ;  but  now,  it  is  out 
of  my  power. 

I  had  no  time  to  make  any  remarks  upon  that  piece 
which  is  called  my  journal.  The  inclosed,  are  observa- 
tions on  the  French  notes.  They  are  of  no  use  to  me 
separated,  nor  will  they,  I  believe,  be  of  any  to  you,  yet 
I  send  them  unconnected  and  incoherent  as  they  were 
taken  ;  for  I  have  no  opportunity  to  correct  them. 

In  regard  to  the  journal,  I  can  only  observe  in  general, 
that  I  kept  no  regular  one  during  that  expedition :  rough 
minutes  of  occurrences  I  certainly  took ;  and  find  them  as 
certainly,  and  strangely  metamorphosed:  some  parts  left 
out,  which  I  remember  were  entered,  and  many  things 
added,  that  never  were  thought  of;  the  names  of  men 
and  things  egregiously  miscalled  ;  and  the  whole  of  what 
I  saw  Englished,  is  very  incorrect  and  nonsensical :  yet, 
I  will  not  pretend  to  say  that  the  little  body,  who  brought  it 
to  me,  has  not  made  a  literal  translation,  and  a  good  one. 

Short  as  my  time  is,  I  cannot  help  remarking  on 
Villiers'  account  of  the  battle  of,  and  transactions  at,  the 
Meadows,  as  it  is  very  extraordinary,  and  not  less  errone- 
ous than  inconsistent.  He  says  the  French  received  the 
first  fire.  It  is  well  known  that  we  received  it  at  six 
hundred  paces  distance.  He  also  says,  our  fears  obliged 
us  to  retreat  in  the  most  disorderly  manner  after  the  capi- 
tulation. How  is  this  consistent  with  his  other  account  ? 
he  acknowledges  that  we  sustained  the  attack,  warmly, 
from  ten  in  the  morning,  until  dark  ;  and  that  he  called 
first  to  parley,  which  strongly  indicates  that  we  were  not 
totally  absorbed  in  fear.  If  the  gentleman  in  his  account 
had  adhered  to  the  truth,  he  must  have  confessed,  that 
we  looked  upon  his  offer  to  parley,  as  an  artifice  to  get 
into  and  examine  our  trenches,  and  refused  on  this 
account,  until  they  desired  an  officer  might  be  sent  to 
them,  and  gave  their  parole  for  his  safe  return.  He 


might  also,  if  he  had  been  as  great  a  lover  of  the  truth* 
as  he  was  of  vain  glory,  have  said,  that  we  absolutely 
refused  their  first  and  second  proposals,  and  would  con- 
sent to  capitulate  on  no  other  terms  than  such  as  we 
obtained.  That  we  were  wilfully,  or  ignorantly  deceived 
by  our  interpreter,  in  regard  to  the  word  assassination,  I 
do  aver,  and  will  to  my  dying  moment  ;  so  will  every 
officer  that  was  present.  The  interpreter  was  a  Dutchman, 
little  acquainted  with  the  English  tongue,  therefore,  might 
not  advert  to  the  tone  and  meaning  of  the  word  in  English  ; 
but,  whatever  his  motives  were  for  so  doing,  certain  it 
is,  he  called  it  the  death,  or  the  loss  of  the  sieur  Jumon- 
ville.  So  we  received,  and  so  we  understood  it,  until  to 
our  great  surprise  and  mortification,  we  found  it  otherwise 
in  a  literal  translation.  That  we  left  our  baggage  and 
horses  at  the  Meadows  is  certain  ;  that  there  was  not 
even  a  possibility  to  bring  them  away,  is  equally  certain, 
as  we  had  every  horse  belongi^p  to  the  camp  killed,  or 
taken  away  during  the  action ;  so  that  it  was  impracticable 
to  bring  any  thing  off  that  our  shoulders  were  not  able  to 
bear ;  and  to  wait  there,  was  impossible,  for  we  had 
scarce  three  days  provisions,  and  were  seventy  miles  from 
a  supply,  yet,  to  say  we  came  off  precipitately  is  absolutely 
false,  notwithstanding  they  did,  contrary  to  articles,  suffer 
their  Indians  to  pillage  oUr  baggage,  and  commit  all  kinds 
of  irregularity  ;  we  were  with  them  until  ten  o'clock  the 
next  day  ;  we  destroyed  our  powder  and  other  stores, 
nay,  even  our  private  baggage  to  prevent  its  falling  into 
their  hands,  as  we  could  not  bring  it  off.  When  we  had 
got  about  a  mile  from  the  place  of  action,  we  missed  two 
or  three  of  the  wounded,  and  sent  a  party  back  to  bring 
them  up  ;....this  is  the  party  he  speaks  of.  We  brought 
them  all  safe  off,  and  encamped  within  three  miles  of  the 
Meadows.  These  are  circumstances,  I  think,  that  make 
it  evidently  clear,  that  we  were  not  very  apprehensive  of 
danger.  The  colours  he  speaks  of  to  be  left,  was  a  large 
flag  of  immense  size  and  weight ;  our  -regimental  colours 
were  brought  off  and  are  now  in  my  possession.  Their 


—  23  — 

gasconades,  and  boasted  clemency,  must  appear  in  the 
most  ludicrous  light  to  every  considerate  person  who 
read#Villiers'  journal  ;....such  preparations  for  an  attack, 
such  vigour  and  intrepidity  as  he  pretends  £o  have  con- 
ducted his  march  with,  such  revenge,  as  by  his  own 
account  appeared  in  his  attack,  considered,  it  will  hardly 
be  thought  that  compassion  was  his  motive  for  calling  a 
parley.  But  to  sum  up  the  whole,  mr.  Villiers  pays  him- 
self no  great  compliment,  in  saying,  we  were  struck  with 
a  panic  when  matters  were  adjusted.  We  surely  could 
not  be  afraid  without  cause,  and  if  we  had  cause  after 
capitulation,  it  was  a  reflection  upon  himself. 

I  do  not  doubt,  but  your  good  nature  will  excuse  the 
badness  of  my  paper,  and  the  incoherence  of  my  writing 
....think  you  see  me  in  a  public  house  in  a  crowd,  sur- 
rounded with  noise,  and  you  hit  my  case.  You  do  me 
particular  honour  in  offering  your  friendship  :  I  wish  I 
may  be  so  happy  as  always  to  merit  it,  and  deserve  your 
correspondence,  which  I  should  be  glad  to  cultivate. 


JVOTE....M).  III. 

Sir, 

We  your  most  obedient  and  affectionate  officers,  beg 
leave  to  express  our  great  concern,  at  the  disagreable 
news  we  have  received  of  your  determination  to  resign 
the  command  of  that  corps,  in  which  we  have  under  you 
long  served. 

The  happiness  we  have  enjoyed,  and  the  honour  we 
have  acquired  together,  with  the  mutual  regard  that  has 
always  subsisted  between  you  and  your  officers;  have  im- 
planted so  sensible  an  affection  in  the  minds  of  us  all,  that 
we  cannot  be  silent  on  this  critical  occasion. 

In  our  eai'liest  infancy  you  took  us  under  your  tuition, 
trained  us  up  in  the  practice  of  that  discipline,  which 


—  24  — 

alone  can  constitute  good  troops ;  from  the  punctual 
observance  of  which  you  never  suffered  the  least  deviation. 

Your  steady  adherence  to  impartial  justice,  your  quick 
discernment,  ^and  invariable  regard  to  merit,  wisely  irn 
tended  to  inculcate  those  genuine  sentiments  of  true 
honour  and  passion  for  glory,  from  which  the  greatest 
military  achievements  have  been  derived,  first  height- 
ened our  natural  emulation,  and  our  desire  to  excel. 
How  much  we  improved  by  those  regulations,  and  your 
own  example  :  with  what  alacrity  we  have  hitherto  dis- 
charged our  duty,  with  what  cheerfulness  we  have  en- 
countered the  severest  toils,  especially  while  under  your 
particular  directions  ;  we  submit  to  yourself,  and  flatter 
ourselves  that  we  have  in  a  great  measure  answered  your 
expectations. 

Judge  then,  how  sensibly  we  must  be  affected  with  the 
loss  of  such  an  excellent  commander,  such  a  sincere 
friend,  and  so  affable  a  companion.  How  rare  is  it  to 
find  those  amiable  qualifications  blended  together  in  one 
man  ?  how  great  the  loss  of  such  man !  adieu  to  that 
superiority,  which  the  enemy  have  granted  us  over  other 
troops,  and  which  even  the  regulars  and  provincials  have 
done  us  the  honour  publicly  to  acknowledge !  adieu  to 
that  strict  discipline  and  order,  which  you  have  always 
maintained!  adieu  to  that  happy  union  and  harmony, 
which  have  been  our  principal  cement  1 

It  gives  us  additional  sorrow,  when  we  reflect,  to  find 
our  unhappy  country  will  receive  a  loss,  no  less  irrepa- 
rable, than  our  own.  Where  will  it  meet  a  man  so 
experienced  in  military  affairs  ?  one  so  renowned  for 
patriotism,  conduct,  and  courage.  Who  has  so  great  a 
knowledge  of  the  enemy  we  have  to  deal  with  ?  who  so 
well  acquainted  with  their  situation  and  strength  ?  who  so 
much  respected  by  the  soldiery?  who,  in  short,  so  able 
to  support  the  military  character  of  Virginia? 

Your  approved  love  to  your  king  and  country,  and  your 
uncommon  perseverance  in  promoting  the  honour  and 
true  interest  of  the  service,  convince  us  that  the  most 


—  25  — 

cogent  reasons  only  could  induce  you  to  quit  it :  yet,  we 
with  the  greatest  deference,  presume  to  entreat  you  to  sus- 
pend those  thoughts  for  another  year,  and  to  lead  us  on 
to  assist  in  the  glorious  work  of  extirpating  our  enemies, 
towards  which,  so  considerable  advances  have  been  al- 
ready made.  In  you,  we  place  the  most  implicit  confi- 
dence. Your  presence  only  will  cause  a  steady  firmness 
and  vigour  to  actuate  in  every  breast,  despising  the  greatest 
dangers,  and  thinking  light  of  toils  and  hardships,  while 
led  on  by  the  man  we  know  and  love. 

But  if  we  must  be  so  unhappy  as  to  part,  if  the  exigen- 
cies of  your  affairs  force  you  to  abandon  us,  we  beg  it  as 
our  last  request,  that  you  will  recommend  some  person 
most  capable  to  command,  whose  military  knowledge, 
whose  honour,  whose  conduct,  and  whose  disinterested 
principles,  we  may  depend  on. 

Frankness,  sincerity,  and  a  certain  openness  of  soul, 
are  the  true  characteristics  of  an  officer,  and  we  flatter 
ourselves  that  you  do  not  think  us  capable  of  saying  any 
thing  contrary  to  the  purest  dictates  of  our  minds.  Fully 
persuaded  of  this,  we  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  that,  as 
you  have  hitherto  been  the  actuating  soul  of  our  whole 
corps,  we  shall  at  all  times  pay  the  most  invariable  regard 
to  your  will  and  pleasure,  and  will  always  be  happy  to 
demonstrate  by  our  actions  with  how  much  respect  and 
esteem  we  are,  Sec. 


JVOT£....jVo.  17. 

These,  being  the  Jirst  resolutions  of  any  assembly  after  the 
passage  of  the  stamfi  act)  are  inserted. 

"  Whereas  the  honourable  house  of  commons  in 
England,  have  of  late  drawn  into  question,  how  far  the 
general  assembly  of  this  colony  hath  power  to  enact  laws 
for  laying  taxes  and  imposing  duties,  payable  by  the  people 
of  this,  his  majesty's  most  ancient  colony;  for  settling 
and  ascertaining  the  same  to  all  future  times,  the  house 

VOL.  11.  d 


—  26  — 

of  burgesses  of  this  present  general  assembly  have  come 
to  the  several  following  resolutions. 

Resolved,  that  the  first  adventurers,  and  settlers  of 
this  his  majesty's  colony  and  dominion  of  Virginia, 
brought  with  them,  and  transmitted  to  their  posterity, 
and  all  other  his  majesty's  subjects  since  inhabiting  in 
this  his  majesty's  colony,  all  the  privileges  and  immuni- 
ties that  have  at  any  time  been  held,  enjoyed  and  pos- 
sessed by  the  people  of  Great  Britain. 

Resolved,  that  by  the  two  1'oyal  chailers  granted  by 
king  James  I.  the  colonies  aforesaid  are  declared  entitled 
to  all  privileges  of  faithful  liege,  and  natural  bom  subjects, 
to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  if  they  had  been  abiding 
and  born  within  the  realm  of  England. 

Resolved,  that  his  majesty's  most  liege  people  of 
this  his  most  ancient  colony,  have  enjoyed  the  right  of 
being  thus  governed  by  their  own  assembly,  in  the  article 
of  taxes  and  internal  police,  and  that  the  same  have  never 
been  forfeited,  nor  any  other  way  yielded  up,  but  have 
been  constantly  recognised  by  the  king  and  people  of 
Great  Britain. 

Resolved,  therefore,  that  the  general  assembly  of  this 
colony,  together  with  his  majesty,  or  his  substitute,  have, 
in  their  representative  capacity,  the  only  exclusive  right 
and  power  to  lay  taxes  and  impositions  upon  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  colony  ;  and  that  every  attempt  to  vest  such 
a  power  in  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  other  than 
the  general  assembly  aforesaid,  is  illegal,  unconstitutional 
and  unjust,  and  has  a  manifest  tendency  to  destroy 
British  as  well  as  American  freedom." 

Such  were  the  resolutions  as  agreed  to  by  that  part  of 
the  assembly,  which  was  most  timid.  The  following 
resolutions  were  also  introduced  by  mr.  Henry,  and 
passed  the  committee,  but  were  disagreed  to  in  the  house. 

"  Resolved,  that  his  majesty's  liege  people,  the  in- 
habitants of  this  colony,  are  not  bound  to  yield  obedience 
to  any  law  or  ordinance  whatsoever,  designed  to  impose 


—  27  — 

\» 
any  taxation  whatsoever  upon  them,  other  than  the  laws 

and  ordinances  of  the  general  Assembly  aforesaid. 

Resolved,  that  any  person  who  shall,  by  speaking  or 
writing,  maintain  that  any  person  or  persons,  other  than 
the  general  assembly  of  this  colony,  have  any  right  or 
power  to  lay  any  taxation  whatsoever  on  the  people  here, 
shall  be  deemed  an  enemy  to  this  his  majesty's  colony." 


>.  v. 


"  The  members  of  this  congress,  sincerely  devoted, 
with  the  warmest  sentiments  of  affection  and  duty,  to  his 
majesty's  person  and  government,  inviolably  attached  to 
the  present  happy  establishment  of  the  protestant  succes- 
sion, and  with  minds  deeply  impressed  by  a  sense  of  the 
present  and  impending  misfortunes  of  the  British  colonies 
on  this  continent;  having  considered,  as  maturely  as  time 
will  permit,  the  circumstances  of  the  said  colonies,  esteem 
it  our  indispensable  duty  to  make  the  following  declara- 
tions of  our  humble  opinion,  respecting  the  most  essential 
rights  and  liberties  of  the  colonists,  and  of  the  grievances 
under  which  they  labour,  by  reason  of  several  late  acts 
of  parliament. 

I.  That  his  majesty's  subjects  in  these  colonies,  owe 
the  same  allegiance  to  the  crown  of  Great  Britain,  that  is 
owing  from  his  subjects  born  within  the  realm,  and  all 
due  subordination  to  that  august  body  the  parliament  of 
Great  Britain. 

II.  That  his  majesty's  liege  subjects  in  these  colonies, 
are  entitled  to  all  the  inherent  rights  and  liberties  of  his 
natural  born  subjects,  within  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain. 

III.  That  it  is  inseparably  essential  to  the  freedom  of 
a  people,  and  the  undoubted  right  of  Englishmen,  that  no 
taxes  be  imposed  on  them,  but  with  their  own  consent, 
given  personally,  or  by  their  representatives. 

d2 


28 

IV.  That  the  people  of  these  colonies  are   not,  and, 
from   their  local  circumstances,    cannot  be  represented 
in  the  house  of  commons  of  Great  Britain. 

V.  That  the  only  representatives  of  these  colonies  are 
persons  chosen  therein  by  themselves,  and  that  no  taxes 
ever  have  been,  or  can  be  constitutionally  imposed  upon 
them,  but  by  their  respective  legislatures. 

VI.  That  all  supplies  to  the  crown  being  free  gifts  from 
the  people,  it  is  unreasonable,  and  inconsistent  with  the 
principles  and  spirit  of  the  British  constitution,  for  the 
people  of  Great  Britain  to  grant  to  his  majesty  the  pro- 
perty of  the  colonists. 

VII.  That  trial  by  jury  is  the  inherent  and  invaluable 
light  of  every  British  subject  in  these  colonies. 

VIII.  That  the  late  act  of  parliament  entitled,    '  an 
act  for  granting  and  applying  certain  stamp  duties,  and 
other  duties,  in  the  British  colonies  and  plantations  in 
America,'   Sec.   by  imposing  taxes  on  the  inhabitants  of 
these  colonies  ;  and  the  said  act,  and  several  other  acts, 
by  extending  the  jurisdiction  of  the  courts  of  admiralty 
beyond  its  ancient  limits,    have  a  manifest  tendency  to 
subvert  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  colonists. 

IX.  That  the  duties  imposed  by  several  late  acts  of 
parliament,    from    the    peculiar  circumstances  of  these 
colonies,  will  be   extremely   burdensome   and  grievous; 
and  from  the  scarcity  of  specie,   the  payment  of  them 
absolutely  impracticable. 

X.  That  as  the  profits  of  the  trade  of  these  colonies 
ultimately  center  in  Great  Britain,  to  pay  for  the  manu- 
factures which  they  are  obliged  to  take  from  thence,  they 
eventually  contribute  very  largely  to  all  supplies  granted 
to  the  crown. 

XI.  That  the  restrictions  imposed  by  several  late  acts 
of  parliament  on  the  trade  of  these  colonies,  will  render 
them   unable   to   purchase   the   manufactures  of  Great 
Britain. 

XII.  That  the  increase,  prosperity,  and  happiness  of 
these  colonies  depend  on  the  full  and  free  enjoyment  of 


—  29  — 

their  rights  and  liberties,  and  an  intercourse  with  Great 
Britain  mutually  affectionate  and  advantageous. 

XJII.  That  it  is  the  right  of  the  British  subjects  in 
thes"e  colonies  to  petition  the  king,  or  either  house  of 
parliament. 

XIV.  That  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  these  colo- 
nies, to  the  best  of  sovereigns,  to  the  mother  country, 
and  to  themselves,  to  endeavour,  by  a  loyal  and  dutiful 
address  to  his  majesty,  and  humble  applications  to  both 
houses  of  parliament,  to  procure  the  repeal  of  the  act  for 
granting  and  applying  certain  stamp  duties,  of  all  clauses 
of  any  other  acts  of  parliament,  whereby  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  admiralty  is  extended  as  aforesaid,  and  of  the  other 
late  acts  for  the  restriction  of  American  commerce." 

Prior  Documents,  p.  27. 


.  JYOTE....M).    VI. 

Province  of  Massachussetts  Bay,  Feb.  11,  1768. 
Sir, 

.  The  house  of  representatives  of  this  province  have 
taken  into  their  consideration  the  great  difficulties  that 
must  accrue  to  themselves  and  their  constituents,  by  the 
operation  of  the  several  acts  of  parliament  imposing  duties 
and  taxes  on  the  American  colonies. 

As  it  is  a  subject  in  which  every  colony  is  deeply  in- 
terested, they  have  no  reason  to  doubt  but  your  house  is 
duly  impressed  with  its  importance  :  and  that  such  con- 
stitutional measures  will  be  come  into  as  are  proper.  It 
seems  to  be  necessary,  that  ajl  possible  care  should  be 
taken  that  the  representations  of  the  several  assemblies, 
upon  so  delicate  a  point,  should  harmonize  with  each 
other:  the  house,  therefore,  hope  that  this  letter  will  be 
candidly  considered  in  no  other  light,  than  as  expressing 
a  disposition  freely  to  communicate  their  mind  to  a  sister 
colony,  upon  a  common  concern,  in  the  same  manner  as 


—  30  — 

they  would  be  glad  to  receive  the  sentiments  of  your  or 
any  other  house  of  assembly  on  the  continent. 

The  house  have  humbly  represented  to  the  ministry 
their  OAvn  sentiments  ;'  that  his  majesty's  high  court  of 
parliament  is  the  supreme  legislative  power  over  the 
whole  empire  :  that  in  all  free  states  the  constitution  is 
fixed :  and,  as  the  supreme  legislative  derives  its  power 
and  authority  from  the  constitution,  it  cannot  overleap 
the  bounds  of  it,  without  destroying  its  foundation ;  that 
the  constitution  ascertains  and  limits  both  sovereignty  and 
allegiance  ;  and  therefore,  his  majesty's  American  sub- 
jects who  acknowledge  themselves  bound  by  the  ties  of 
allegiance,  have  an  equitable  claim  to  the  full  enjoyment 
of  the  fundamental  rules  of  the  British  constitution  ;  that 
it  is  an  essential  unalterable  right  in  nature,  ingrafted 
into  the  British  constitution  as  a  fundamental  law,  and 
ever  held  sacred  and  irrevocable  by  the  subjects  within 
the  realm,  that  what  a  man  hath  honestly  acquired  is 
absolutely  his  own,  which  he  may  freely  give,  but  cannot 
be  taken  from  him  without  his  consent ;  that  the  Ameri- 
can subjects  may  therefore,  exclusive  of  any  consideration 
of  charter  rights,  with  a  decent  firmness  adapted  to  the 
character  of  freemen  and  subjects,  assert  this  natural  and 
constitutional  right. 

It  is  moreover  their  humble  opinion,  which  they  express 
with  the  greatest  deference  to  the  wisdom  of  the  parlia- 
ment, that  the  acts  made  there  imposing  duties  on  the 
people  of  this  province,  with  the  sole  and  express  purpose 
of  raising  a  revenue,  are  infringements  of  their  natural 
and  constitutional  rights  ;  because  as  they  are  not  repre- 
sented in  the  British  parliament,  his  majesty's  commons 
in  Britain  by  those  acts  grant  their  property  without  their 
consent. 

This  house  further  are  of  opinion,  that  their  constitu- 
ents, considering  their  local  circumstances,  cannot  by  any 
possibility  be  represented  in  the  parliament;  and  that  it 
will  forever  be  impracticable  that  they  should  be  equally 
represented  there,  and  consequently  not  at  all,  being 


—  31  — . 

separated  by  an  ocean  of  a  thousand  leagues  :  t'hat  his 
majesty's  royal  predecessors,  for  this  reason,  were  graci- 
ously pleased  to  form  a  subordinate  legislative  here,  that 
their  subjects  might  enjoy  the  unalienable  right  of  a 
representation.  Also,  that,  considering  the  utter  impracti- 
cability of  their  ever  being  fully  and  equally  represented 
in  parliament,  and  the  great  expense  that  must  unavoid- 
ably attend  even  a  partial  representation  there,  this  house 
think,  that  a  taxation  of  their  constituents,  even  without 
their  consent,  grievous  as  it  is,  would  be  preferable  to 
any  representation  that  could  be  admitted  for  them  there. 

Upon  these  principles,  and  also  considering  that  were 
the  right  in  the  parliament  ever  so  clear,  yet  for  obvious 
reasons  it  would  be  beyond  the  rule  of  equity,  that  their 
constituents  should  be  taxed  on  the  manufactures  of 
Great  Britain  here,  in  addition  to  the  duties  they  pay  for 
them  in  England,  and  other  advantages  arising  to  Great 
Britain  from  the  acts  of  trade  ;  this  house  have  preferred  a 
humble,  dutiful,  and  loyal  petition  to  our  most  gracious 
sovereign,  and  made  such  representation  to  his  majesty's 
ministers,  as  they  apprehend  would  tend  to  obtain  re- 
dress. 

They  have  also  submitted  to  consideration,  whether 
any  people  can  be  said  to  enjoy  any  degree  of  freedom, 
if  the  crown,  in  addition  to  its  undoubted  authority  of 
constituting  a  governor,  should  appoint  him  such  a 
stipend  as  it  shall  judge  proper  without  the  consent  of 
the  people,  and  at  their  expense ;  and  whether,  while  the 
judges  of  the  land,  and  other  civil  officers,  hold  not  their 
commissions  during  good  behaviour,  their  having  salaries 
appointed  for  them  by  the  crown,  independent  of  the 
people,  hath  not  a  tendency  to  subvert  the  principles  of 
equity,  and  endanger  the  happiness  and  security  of  the 
subject. 

In  addition  to  these  measures,  the  house  have  written 
a  letter  to  their  agent  mr.  cle  Berdt,  the  sentiments  of 
which  he  is  directed  to  lay  before  the  ministry  ;  wherein 
they  take  notice  of  the  hardship  of  the  act  for  preventing 


32  • 

mutiny  and  desertion,  which  requires  the  governor  "and 
council  to  provide  enumerated  articles  for  the  king's 
marching  troops,  and  the  people  to  pay  the  expense : 
and  also  the  commission  of  the  gentlemen  appointed 
commissioners  of  the  customs  to  reside  in  America} 
Avhich  authorizes  them  to  make  as  many  appointments  as 
they  think  fit,  and  to  pay  the  appointees  what  sums  they 
please,  for  whose  mal-conduct  they  are  not  accountable  ; 
from  whence  it  may  happen,  that  officers  of  the  crown 
may  be  multiplied  to  such  a  degree,  as  to  become  dange- 
rous to  the  liberties  of  the  people,  by  virtue  of  a  commis- 
sion which  doth  not  appear  to  this  house  to  derive  any 
such  advantages  to  trade  as  many  have  been  led  to  expect. 

These  are  the  sentiments  and  proceedings  of  the  house, 
and,  as  'they  have  too  much  reason  to  believe  that  the 
enemies  of  the  colonies  have  represented  them  to  his 
majesty's  ministers  and  the  parliament  as  factious,  dis- 
loyal, and.  having  a  disposition  to  make  themselves  inde- 
pendent of  the  mother  country,  they  have  taken  occasion 
in  the  most  humble  terms,  to  assure  his  majesty  and  his 
ministers,  that,  with  regard  to  the  people  of  this  province, 
and,  as  they  doubt  not,  of  all  the  colonies,  the  charge  is 
unjust. 

The  house  is  fully  satisfied,  that  your  assembly  is  too 
generous  and  enlarged  in  sentiment  to  believe,  that  this 
letter  proceeds  from  an  ambition  of  taking  the  lead,  or 
dictating  to  the  other  assemblies ;  they  freely  submit 
their  opinion  to  the  judgment  of  others  ;  and  shall  take 
it  kind  in  your  house  to  point  out  to  them  any  thing  further 
that  may  be  thought  necessary. 

This  house  cannot  conclude  without  expressing  their 
firm  confidence  in  the  king,  our  common  head  and  father, 
that  the  united  and  dutiful  supplications  of  his  distressed 
American  subjects  will  meet  with  his  royal  and  favourable 
acceptance. 


33 


"  Resolved,  by  the  lords  spiritual  and  temporal  in  par- 
liament assembled,  that  the  votes,  resolutions,  and  pro- 
ceedings, of  the  house  of  representatives  of  Massachus- 
setts  Bay,  in  the  month  of  January  and  February  last, 
respecting  several  late  acts  of  parliament,  so  far  as  the 
said  votes,  resolutions,  and  proceedings,  do  import  a  de- 
nial of,  or  to  draw  into  question,  the  power  and  authority 
of  his  majesty,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
lords  spiritual  and  temporal,  and  the  commons,  in  par- 
liament assembled,  to  make  laws  and  statutes  of  sufficient 
force  and  validity,  to  bind  the  colonies  and  people  of 
America,  subjects  to  the  crown  of  Great  Britain,  in  all 
cases  whatsoever,  are  illegal,  unconstitutional,  and  dero- 
gatory of  the  rights  of  the  crown  and  parliament  of  Great 
Britain. 

Resolved,  by  the  lords  spiritual  and  tempjral  in  par- 
liament assembled,  that  the  resolution  of.  the  said  house 
of  representatives  of  the  province  of  Massachussetts  Bay, 
in  January  last,  to  write  letters  to  the  several  houses  of 
representatives  of  the  British  colonies  in  the  continent, 
desiring  them  to  join  with  the  said  house  of  representa- 
tives of  the  province  of  Massachussetts  Bay,  in  petitions 
which  do  deny  or  draw  into  question  the  right  of  parlia- 
ment to  impose  duties  and  taxes  upon  his  majesty's  sub- 
jects in  America  ;  and  in  pursuance  of  the  said  resolution, 
the  writing  such  letters,  in  which  certain  late  acts  of  par- 
liament, imposing  duties  and  taxes,  are  stated  to  be  in- 
fringements of  the  rights  of  his  majesty's  subjects  of  the 
said  province,  are  proceedings  of  a  most  unwarrantable 
and  dangerous  nature,  calculated  to  inflame  the  minds  of 
his  majesty's  subjects  in  the  other  colonies,  tending  to 

VOL.  n.  e 


—  34  — 

create  unlawful  combinations  repugnant  to  the  laws  of 
Great  Britain,  and  subversive  of  the  constitution. 

Resolved,  by  the  lords  spiritual  and  temporal  in  par- 
liament assembled,  that,  in  these  circumstances  of  the 
province  of  the  Massachussetts  Bay,  and  of  the  town  of 
Boston,  the  preservation  of  the  public  peace,  and  the  due 
execution  of  the  laws,  became  impracticable,  without  the 
aid  of  a  military  force  to  support  and  protect  the  civil  ma- 
gistrates and  the  officers  of  his  majesty's  revenue. 

Resolved,  by  the  lords  spiritual  and  temporal  in  par- 
liament assembled,  that  the  declarations,  resolutions,  and 
proceedings,  in  the  town  meetings  at  Boston  on  the  four- 
teenth of  June  and  twelfth  of  September,  were  illegal 
and  unconstitutional,  and  calculated  to  excite  sedition  and 
insurrections  in  his  majesty's  province  of  Massachussetts 
Bay. 

Resolved,  by  the  lords  spiritual  and  temporal  in  par- 
liament assembled,  that  the  appointment  at  the  town  meet- 
ing of  the  twelfth  of  September,  of  a  convention  to  be 
held  in  the  town  of  Boston  on  the  22d  of  that  month,  to 
consist  of  deputies  from  the  several  towns  and  districts 
in  the  province  of  the  Massachussetts  Bay,  and  the  issuing 
a  precept,  by  the  select  men  of  the  town  of  Boston,  to 
each  of  the  said  towns  and  districts  for  the  election  of 
such  deputies,  were  proceedings  subversive  of  his  ma- 
jesty's government,  and  evidently  manifesting  a  design, 
in  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  town  of  Boston,  to  set  up  a 
new,  and  unconstitutional  authority,  independent  of  the 
crown  of  Great  Britain. 

Resolved,  by  the  lords  spiritual  and  temporal  in  par- 
liament assembled,  that  the  elections  by  several  towns 
and  districts  in  the  pi-ovince  of  Massachussetts  Bay,  of 
deputies  to  sit  in  the  same  convention,  and  the  meeting 
of  such  convention  in  consequence  thereof,  were  daring 
insults  offered  to  his  majesty's  authority,  and  audacious 
usurpations  of  the  powers  of  government."  prhr  Documents. 


—  35  — 


J\TOTJS»..JVb.  VIII. 

This  address  manifests  so  clearly  the  then  real  temper  of  a 

colony  which,  took  a  very  active  part  in  the  contest  ivith 

the  mother  country,  that  it  cannot  be  entirely  unacceptable 

to  the  reader. 

"  To  the  king's  most  excellent  majesty: 

"  The  humble  address  of  his  dutiful  and  loyal  subjects 
of  the  house  of  burgesses  of  his  majesty's  ancient  colony 
of  Virginia  met  in  general  assembly. 
"  May  it  please  your  majesty, 

"  We  your  majesty's  most  loyal,  dutiful,  and  affec- 
tionate subjects,  the  house  of  burgesses  of  this  your  ma- 
jesty's ancient  colony  of  Virginia,  now  met  in  general 
assembly,  beg  leave,  in  the  humblest  manner,  to  assure 
your  majesty,  that  your  faithful  subjects  of  this  colony, 
ever  distinguished  by  their  loyalty  and  firm  attachment 
to  your  majesty,  and  your  royal  ancestors,  far  from  coun- 
tenancing traitors,  treasons,  or  misprisions  of  treasons, 
are  ready  at  any  time,  to  sacrifice  our  lives  and  fortunes 
in  defence  of  your  majesty's  sacred  person  and  govern- 
ment. 

"  It  is  with  the  deepest  concern  and  most  heartfelt  grief, 
that  your  majesty's  dutiful  subjects  of  this  colony  find  that 
their  loyalty  hath  been  traduced,  and  that  those  measures, 
which  a  just  regard  for  the  British  constitution  (dearer 
to  them  than  life)  made  necessary  duties,  have  been  re- 
presented as  rebellious  attacks  upon  your  majesty's  go- 
vernment. 

"  When  we  consider  that  by  the  established  laws  and 
constitution  of  this  colony,  the  most  ample  provision  is 
made  for  apprehending  and  punishing  all  those  who  shall 
dare  to  engage  in  any  treasonable  practices  against  your 
majesty,  or  disturb  the  tranquillity  of  government,  we 
cannot  without  horror  think  of  the  new,  unusual,  and> 

e  2 


—  36  — 

permit  us,  with  all  humility,  to  add,  unconstitutional,  and 
illegal  mode  recommended  to  your  majesty,  of  seizing 
and  carrying  beyond  sea  the  inhabitants  of  America  sus- 
pected of  any  crime,  and  of  trying  such  persons  in  any 
other  manner  than  by  the  ancient  and  long  established 
course  of  proceeding;  for  how  truly  deplorable  must  be 
the  case  of  a  wretched  American,  who,  having  incurred 
the  displeasure  of  any  one  in  power,  is  dragged  from  liis 
native  home,  and  his  dearest  domestic  connexions,  thrown 
into  a  prison,  not  to  await  his  trial  before  a  court,  jury, 
or  judges,  from  a  knowledge  of  whom  he  is  encouraged 
to  hope  for  speedy  justice;  but  to  exchange  his  impri- 
sonment in  his  own  country,  for  fetters  among  strangers : 
conveyed  to  a  distant  land  where  no  friend,  no  relation, 
will  alleviate  his  distresses,  or  minister  to  his  necessities, 
and  where  no  witness  can  be  found  to  testify  his  inno- 
cence; shunned  by  the  reputable  and  honest,  and  con- 
signed to  the  society  and  converse  of  the  wretched  and 
the  abandoned,  he  can  only  pray  that  he  may  soon  end 
his  misery  with  his  life. 

Truly  alarmed  at  the  fatal  tendency  of  these  pernicious 
counsels,  and  with  hearts  filled  with  anguish  by  such 
dangerous  invasions  of  our  dearest  privileges,  we  presume 
to  prostrate  ourselves  at  the  foot  of  your  royal  throne, 
beseeching  your  majesty,  as  our  king  and  father,  to  avert 
from  your  faithful  and  loyal  subjects  of  America,  those 
miseries  which  must  necessarily  be  the  consequence  of 
such  measures. 

After  expressing  our  firm  confidence  of  your  royal  wis- 
dom and  goodness,  permit  us  to  assure  your  majesty,  that 
the  most  fervent  prayers  of  your  people  of  this  colony  are 
daily  addressed  to  the  Almighty,  that  your  majesty's  reign 
maybe  long  and  prosperous  over  Great  Britain,  and  all  your 
dominions;  and  that  after  death,  your  majesty  may  taste 
the  fullest  fruition  of  eternal  bliss,  and  that  a  descendant 
of  your  illustrious  house  may  reign  over  the  extended 
British  empire  until  time  shall  be  no  more." 

Vide  Virginia  Gazette,  l\Liy  IS,  1709, 


37 


JVOT£....JVb.  IX. 

The  following  arc  the  resolutions  alluded  to. 

"  The  genera]  assembly  of  this  his  majesty's  colony  of 
Massachusetts  Bay,  convened  by  his  majesty's  authority, 
by  virtue  of  his  writ  issued  by  his  excellency  the  governor, 
under  the  great  seal  of  the  province,  and  this  house  think- 
ing  it  their  duty,  at  all  times,  to  testify  their  loyalty  to 
his  majesty,  as  well  as  their  regard  to  the  rights,  liberties, 
and  privileges  of  themselves  and  their  constituents,  do  pass 
the  following  resolutions,  to  be  entered  on  the  records  of 
the  house  : 

"  Resolved,  that  this  house  do,  and  ever  will,  bear  the 
firmest  allegiance  to  our  rightful  sovereign  king  George 
III.  and  are  ever  ready,  with  their  lives  and  fortunes,  to 
defend  his  majesty's  person,  family,  crown  and  dignity. 

"  Resolved,  that  this  house  do  concur  in,  and  adhere 
to,  the  resolutions  of  the  house  of  representatives  in  the 
year  1765,  and  particularly  in  that  essential  principle,  that 
no  man  can  be  taxed,  or  bound  in  conscience  to  obey  any 
law,  to  which  he  has  not  given  his  consent,  in  person,  or 
by  his  representative. 

"  Resolved,  as  the  opinion  of  this  house,  that  it  is  the 
indubitable  right  of  the  subject  in  general,  and,  conse- 
quently, of  the  colonies,  jointly  or  severally,  to  petition 
the  king  for  redress  of  grievances ;  and  that  it  is  lawful, 
whenever  they  think  it  expedient,  to  confer  with  each 
other,  in  order  to  procure  a  joint  concurrence,  in  duti- 
ful addresses  for  relief  from  their  common  burdens. 

"  Resolved,  that  governor  Bernard,  in  wantonly  dis- 
solving the  last  year's  assembly,  and  in  refusing  to  call 
another,  though  repeatedly  requested  by  the  people,  acted 
against  the  spirit  of  a  free  constitution ;  and  if  such  pro- 
cedure be  lawful,  it  may  be  in  his  power,  whenever  he 
pleases,  to  make  himself  absolute. 

Resolved,  that  at  a  time  when  there  was  a  general  dis- 
content, on  account  of  the  revenue  acts,  an  expectation 


of  the  sudden  arrival  of  a  military  power  to  enforce  the 
execution  of  those  acts,  a  dread  of  the  troops  being  quar- 
tered upon  the  inhabitants,  when  our  petitions  were  not 
permitted  to  reach  the  royal  ear,  the  general  court  at  such 
a  juncture  dissolved,  and  the  governor's  refusing  to  call  a 
new  one,  and  the  people  thereby  reduced  to  almost  a  state 
of  despair,  at  such  a  time  it  was  innocent,  if  not  highly 
expedient  and  necessary,  for  the  people  to  convene  by  their 
committees,  in  order  to  associate,  consult,  and  advise 
the  best  means  to  promote  peace  and  order,  and  by  all 
lawful  ways  to  endeavour  to  have  their  united  complaints 
laid  before  the  throne,  and  jointly  to  pray  for  the  royal 
interposition,  in  favour  of  our  violated  rights;  nor  can 
this  procedure  possibly  be  conceived  to  be  illegal,  as  they 
expressly  disclaimed  all  governmental  acts. 

"  Resolved,  as  the  opinion  of  this  house,  that  governor 
Bernard,  in  his  letters  to  lord  Hillsborough,  his  majesty's 
secretary  of  state,  has  given  a  false  and  highly  injurious 
representation  of  the  conduct  of  his  majesty's  truly  loyal 
and  faithful  council  of  this  colony,  and  of  the  magistrates, 
overseers  of  the  poor,  and  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Boston,  tending  to  bring  on  these  respectable  bodies,  and 
especially  on  some  individuals,  the  unmerited  displeasure 
of  our  gracious  sovereign,  to  introduce  a  military  govern- 
ment into  the  province,  and  to  mislead  both  houses  of 
parliament  into  such  severe  resolutions,  as  a  true,  just, 
and  candid  state  of  facts  must  have  prevented. 

Resolved,  that  governor  Bernard,  in  the  letters  before- 
mentioned,  by  falsely  representing  that  it  was  become 
"  necessary  the  king  should  have  the  council  chamber  in 
his  own  hands,  and  should  be  enabled  by  parliament  to 
supersede,  by  order  in  his  privy  council,  commissions 
granted  in  his  name,  and  under  his  seal  throughout  the 
colonies,"  has  discovered  his  enmity  to  the  true  spirit  of 
the  British  constitution,  and  to  the  liberties  of  the  colonies, 
and  particularly  has  meditated  a  blow  at  the  root  of  some 
of  the  most  invaluable  constitutional  and  charter  rights 
of  this  province ;  the  perfidy  of  which,  at  the  very  time 


—  39  — 

he  was  professing  himself  a  warm  friend  to  the  charter, 
is  altogether  unparalleled  by  any  person  in  hi^s  station, 
and  ought  never  to  be  forgotten. 

Resolved,  that  the  establishing  a  standing  army  in  this 
colony,  in  a  time  of  peace,  without  the  consent  of  the 
general  assembly  of  the  same,  is  an  invasion  of  the  na- 
tural rights  of  the  people,  as  well  as  those  which  they 
claim  as  free  born  Englishmen,  and  which  are  confirmed 
by  magna  charta,  and  the  bill  of  rights,  as  settled  at, the 
revolution,  and  by  the  charter  of  this  province. 

Resolved,  that  a  standing  army  is  not  known  as  a  part 
of  the  British  constitution,  in  any  of  the  king's  dominions; 
and  every  attempt  to  establish  it  as  such,  has  ever  been 
deemed  a  dangerous  innovation,  and  manifestly  tending 
to  enslave  the  people. 

Resolved,  that  the  sending  an  armed  force  into  this 
colony,  under  a  pretence  of  aiding  and  assisting  the  civil 
authority,  is  an  endeavour  to  establish  a  standing  army 
here  without  our  consent,  and  highly  dangerous  to  this 
people,  is  unprecedented  and  unconstitutional.  His  ex- 
cellency general  Gage,  in  his  letter  to  lord  Hillsborough, 
October  31st,  having,  among  other  exceptionable  things, 
expressed  himself  in  the  following  words:  "  From  what 
has  been  said,  your  lordship  will  conclude,  that  there  has 
been  no  government  in  Boston ;  in  truth,  there  is  very 
little  at  present,  and  the  constitution  of  this  province 
leans  so  much  to  the  side  of  democracy,  that  the  go- 
vernor has  not  the  power  to  remedy  the  disorders  that 
happen  in  it." 

Resolved,  as  the  opinion  of  this  house,  that  his  excel- 
lency general  Gage,  in  this  and  other  assertions,  has 
rashly  and  impertinently  intermeddled  in  the  civil  affairs 
of  this  province,  which  are  altogether  out  of  his  depart- 
ment; and  in  the  internal  police  of  which,  by  his  letter, 
if  not  altogether  his  own,  he  has  yet  betrayed  a  degree  of 
ignorance  equal  to  the  malice  of  the  author. 

With  respect  to  the  nature  of  our  government,  this 
house -is  of  opinion  that  the  wisdom  of  that  great  prince, 


—  40  — 

William  III.  who  gave  the  charter,  aided  by  an  able  mi- 
nistry, men  thoroughly  versed  in  the  English  constitution 
and  law,  together  with  the  happy  effects  that  have  been 
derived  from  it  to  the  nation,  as  well  as  this  colony,  did 
place  it  above  the  reprehension  of  the  general,  and  should 
have  led  him  to  inquire,  whether  the  disorders  complained 
of  have  not  originated  from  an  arbitrary  disposition  in 
the  governor,  rather  than  from  too  great  a  spirit  of  de- 
mocracy in  the  people. 

And  this  house  cannot  but  express  their  concern,  that 
too  many  in  power  both  at  home  and  abroad  so  clearly 
avow,  not  only  in  private  conversation,  but  in  their  pub- 
lic conduct,  the  most  rancorous  enmity  against  the  free 
part  of  the  British  constitution,  and  are  indefatigable  in 
their  endeavours  to  render  the  monarchy  absolute,  and 
the  administration  arbitrary  in  every  part  of  the  British 
empire. 

Resolved,  that  this  house,  after  the  most  careful  in- 
quiry, have  not  found  any  instance  of  the  course  of  jus- 
tice being  interrupted  by  violence,  even  before  a  single 
magistrate,  nor  of  any  magistrate's  refusing  to  inquire 
into,  or  redress  any  complaint  properly  laid  before  him; 
while  it  is  notorious  to  all  the  world,  that,  even  such  acts 
of  parliament  as  have  been  deemed  by  the  whole  conti- 
nent highly  oppressive,  have  been  so  far  from  being  op- 
posed with  violence,  that  the  duties  imposed,  and  rigor- 
ously exacted,  have  been  punctually  paid. 

Resolved,  that  the  fining  in  the  small  sum  of  ten 
pounds  only,  a  high  handed  offender,  viz.  one  Fellows, 
in  the  county  of  Essex,  who  by  force,  and  with  fire  arms 
loaded  with  ball,  and  swan  shot,  rescued  a  prisoner  law- 
fully taken  by  the  sheriff  of  said  county,  is  a  grievance, 
and  tends  to  the  encouragement  of  such  crimes  for  the 
future. 

Resolved,  that  the  frequently  entering  noli  fir osequi  by 
the  attorney  and  advocate  general,  in  cases  favourable  to 
the  liberty  of  the  subject,  and  rigorous  prosecutions  by 
information  and  otherwise  in  those  in  favour  of  power,  is 


a  daring  breach  of  trust,  and  an  insupportable  grievance 
on  the  people. 

Resolved,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  house,  that  all 
trials  for  treasons,  misprision  of  treason,  or  for  any  felony, 
or  crime  whatsoever  committed  or  done  in  his  majesty's 
said  colony,  by  any  person  or  persons  residing  therein, 
ought  of  right  to  be  had  and  conducted  in  and  before  his 
majesty's  courts  held  within  the  said  colony,  according  to 
the  fixed  and  known  course  of  proceeding ;  and  that  the 
seizing  any  person,  or  persons,  residing  in  this  colony, 
suspected  of  any  crime  whatsoever,  committed  therein, 
and  sending  such  person,  or  persons,  to  places  beyond  the 
sea,  to  be  tried,  is  highly  derogatory  of  the  rights  of 
British  subjects,  as  thereby  the  inestimable  privilege  of 
being  tried  by  a  jury  from  the  vicinage,  as  well  as  the 
liberty  of  summoning  and  producing  witnesses  on  such 
trial,  will  be  taken  away  from  the  party  accused." 

Virginia  Gazette,  fur  1769. 


.WO.  X. 

An  account  of  the  origin  of  these  committees  and  of  their  mode 
of  proceeding,  is  thus  given  by  mr.  Gordon,  and  is  not 
unworthy  of  Attention. 

"  Governor  Hutchinson  and  his  adherents  having  been 
used  to  represent  the  party  in  opposition,  as  only  an  un- 
easy factious  few  in  Boston,  while  the  body  of  the  people 
were  quite  contented;  mr.  Samuel  Adams  was  thereby 
induced  to  visit  mr.  James  Warren,  of  Plymouth.  After 
conversing  upon  the  subject,  the  latter  proposed  to  origi- 
nate and  establish  committees  of  correspondence  in  the 
several  towns  of  the  colony,  in  order  to  learn  the  strength 
of  the  friends  to  the  rights  of  the  continent,  and  to  unite 
and  increase  their  force.  Mr.  Samuel  Adams  returned 
to  Boston,  pleased  with  the  proposal,  and  communicated 
the  same  to  his  confidents.  Some  doubted  whether  the 
measure  would  prosper,  and  dreaded  a  disappointment 
which  might  injure  the  cause  of  liberty.  But  it  was  con- 
VOL.  n.  f  ' 


eluded  to  proceed.  The  prime  managers  were  about  six 
in  number,  each  of  whom,  when  separate,  headed  a  di- 
vision ;  the  several  individuals  of  which,  collected  and  led 
distinct  subdivisions.  In  this  manner  the  political  engine 
has  been  constructed.  The  different  parts  are  not  equally 
good  and  operative.  Like  other  bodies,  its  composition 
includes  numbers  who  act  mechanically,  as  they  are 
pressed  this  way  or  that  way  by  those  who  judge  for  them ; 
and  divers  of  the  wicked,  fitted  for  evil  practices,  when 
the  adoption  of  them  is  thought  necessary  to  particular 
purposes,  and  a  part  of  whose  creed  it  is,  that  in  political 
matters  the  public  good  is  above  every  other  consideration, 
and  that  all  rules  of  morality  when  in  competition  with  it, 
may  be  safely  dispensed  with.  When  any  important  trans- 
action is  to  be  brought  forward,  it  is  thoroughly  consi- 
dered by  the  prime  managers.  If  they  approve,  each 
communicates  it  to  his  own  division;  from  thence,  if 
adopted,  it  passes  to  the  several  subdivisions,  which  form 
a  general  meeting  in  order  to  canvass  the  business.  The 
prime  managers  being  known  only  by  few  to  be  the  pro- 
moters of  it,  are  desired  to  be  present  at  the  debate,  that 
they  may  give  their  opinion  when  it  closes.  If  they  ob- 
serve that  the  collected  body  is  in  general  strongly  against 
the  measure  they  wish  to  have  carried,  they  declare  it  to 
be  improper:  is  it  opposed  by  great  numbers,  but  not 
warmly,  they  advise  to  a  re-consideration  at  another  meet- 
ing, and  prepare  for  its  being  then  adopted;  if  the  oppo- 
sition is  not  considerable,  either  in  number  or  weight  of 
persons,  they  give  their  reasons,  and  then  recommend 
the  adoption  of  the  measure.  The  principal  actors  are 
determined  on  securing  the  liberties  of  their  country,  or 
perishing  in  the  attempt. 

"  The  news  of  his  majesty's  granting  salaries  to  the  jus- 
tices of  the  superior  court,  afforded  them  a  fair  opportu- 
nity for  executing  the  plan  of  establishing  committees  of 
correspondence  through  the  colony.  The  most  spirited 
pieces  were  published,  and  an  alarm  spread,  that  the 


—  43  — 

granting  such  salaries  tended  rapidly  to  complete  the  sys- 
tem of  their  slavery. 

"  A  town  meeting  was  called,  and  a  committee  of  cor- 
respondence appointed,  to  write  circular  letters  to  all  the 
towns  in  the  province,  and  to  induce  them  to  unite  in 
measures.  The  committee  made  a  report,  containing 
several  resolutions  contradictory  to  the  supremacy  of  the 
British  legislature.  After  setting  forth,  that  all  men  have 
a  right  to  remain  in  a  state  of  nature  as  long  as  they 
please,  they  proceed  to  a  report  upon  the  natural  rights 
of  the  colonists  as  men,  Christians,  and  subjects;  and 
then  form  a  list  of  infringements  and  violations  of  their 
rights.  They  enumerate  and  dwell  upon  the  British  par- 
liament's having  assumed  the  power  of  legislation,  for  the 
colonies  in  all  cases  whatsoever.. ..the  appointment  of  a 
number  of  new  officers  to  superintend  the  revenues. ...the 
granting  of  salaries  out  of  the  American  revenue,  to  the 
governor,  the  judges  of  the  superior  court,  the  king's 
attorney  and  solicitor  general.  The  report  was  accepted ; 
copies  printed ;  and  six  hundred  circulated  through  the 
towns  and  districts  of  the  province,  with  a  pathetic  letter 
addressed  to  the  inhabitants,  who  were  called  upon  not  to 
doze  any  longer,  or  sit  supinely  in  indifference,  while  the 
iron  hand  of  oppression  was  daily  tearing  the  choicest 
fruits  from  the  fair  tree  of  liberty.  The  circular  letter 
requested  of  each  town  a  free  communication  of  senti- 
ments on  the  subjects  of  the  report,  and  was  directed  to 
the  select  men,  who  were  desired  to  lay  the  same  before 
a  town  meeting,  which  has  been  generally  practised,  and 
the  proceedings  of  the  town  upon  the  business  have  been 
transmitted  to  the  committee  at  Boston.  This  committee 
have  their  particular  correspondents  in  the  several  towns, 
who,  upon  receiving  any  special  information,  are  ready 
to  spread  it  with  dispatch  among  the  inhabitants.  It  con- 
sists of  twenty-one  persons  of  heterogeneous  qualities  and 

professions,    &C."  Cordon's  Hist.  Am.  Wzr,  vol.  I.  p.  -12. 

f   2 


44 


NOTE....No.  XL 

THE    FOLLOWING    IS    A    LIST    OF    THE    MEMBERS    COM- 
POSING   THE     FIRST    CONGRESS  : 

New  Hampshire. 
John  Sullivan,  Nathaniel  Fulsom. 

Massachusetts  Bay. 

James  Bowdoin,  John  Adams, 

Thomas  Gushing,  Robert  Treat  Paine. 

Samuel  Adams, 

Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plantations. 
Stephen  Hopkins,  Samuel  Ward. 

Connecticut. 

Eliphalet  Dyer,  Silas  Deane. 

Roger  Sherman, 
From  the  city  and  county  of  New  York,  and  other  counties 

in  the  firovince  of  New  York. 
James  Duane,  Philip  Livingston, 

Henry  Wisner,  Isaac  Low, 

John  Jay,  John  Alsop. 

From  the  county  of  Suffolk,  in  the  Jiro-vince  of  New  York. 
William  Floyd. 

New  Jersey. 

James  Kinsey,  Stephen  Crane, 

William  Livingston,  Richard  Smith. 

John  Dehart, 

Pennsylvania. 

Joseph  Galloway,  John  Morton, 

Charles  Humphreys,  Thomas  Mifflin, 

Samuel  Rhoads,  Edward  Biddle, 

George  Ross,  John  Dickinson. 

Newcastle,  Kent,  and  Sussex,  on  Delaware. 
Cesar  Rodney,  George  Read. 

Thomas  M'Kean, 

Maryland. 

Robert  Goldsborough,  Samuel  Chase, 

Thomas  Johnson,  Matthew  Tilghman. 

William  Paca, 


—  45  — 

Virginia. 

Peyton  Randolph,  Richard  Bland, 

Richard  Henry  Lee,  Benjamin  Harrison, 

George  Washington,  Edmund  Pendleton. 

Patrick  Henry, 

North  Carolina. 

William  Hooper,  Richard  Caswell. 

Joseph  Hughes, 

South  Carolina. 

Henry  Middleton,  Christopher  Gadsden, 

John  Rutledge,  Edward  Rutledge. 

Thomas  Lynch, 


NOTE....W.  XIL 

These  resolutions  manifested  a  degree  of  irritation  which  had 
not  before  been  displayed.  They  are  introduced  in  the 
following  manner: 

"  Whereas  the  power  but  not  the  justice,  the  ven- 
geance but  not  the  wisdom  of  Great  Britain,  which  of  old 
persecuted,  scourged,  and  exiled  our  fugitive  parents  from 
their  native  shores,  now  pursues  us  their  guiltless  chil- 
dren, with  unrelenting  severity ;  And  whereas  this,  then 
savage  and  uncultivated  desert,  was  purchased  by  the  toil 
and  treasure,  or  acquired  by  the  blood  and  valour  of  those 
our  venerable  progenitors;  to  us  they  bequeathed  the 
dear-bought  inheritance ;  to  our  care  and  protection  they 
consigned  it;  and  the  most  sacred  obligations  are  upon 
us  to  transmit  the  glorious  purchase,  unfettered  by  power, 
unclogged  with  shackles,  to  our  innocent  and  beloved 
offspring.  On  the  fortitude,  on  the  wisdom,  and  on  the 
the  exertions  of  this  important  day,  is  suspended  the  fate 
of  this  new  world,  and  of  unborn  millions.  If  a  boundless 
extent  of  continent,  swarming  with  millions,  will  tamely 
submit  to  live,  move,  and  have  their  being  at  the  arbitrary 
will  of  a  licentious  minister,  they  basely  yield  to  volun- 
tary slavery,  and  future  generations  shall  load  their  me- 


—  46  — 

mories  with  incessant  execrations.  On  the  other  hand,  if 
we  arrest  the  hand  which  would  ransack  our  pockets,  if 
we  disarm  the  parricide  which  points  the  dagger  to  our 
bosoms,  if  we  nobly  defeat  that  fatal  edict  which  proclaims 
a  power  to  frame  laws  for  us  in  all  cases  whatsoever, 
thereby  entailing  the  endless  and  numberless  curses  of 
slavery  upon  us,  our  heirs,  and  their  heirs  forever;  if 
we  successfully  resist  that  unparalleled  usurpation  of  un- 
constitutional power,  whereby  our  capital  is  robbed  of  the 
means  of  life ;  whereby  the  streets  of  Boston  are  thronged 
with  military  executioners;  whereby  our  coasts  are  lined, 
and  harbours  crowded  with  ships  of  Avar ;  whereby  the 
charter  of  the  colony,  that  sacred  barrier  against  the  en- 
croachments of  tyranny,  is  mutilated,  and  in  effect  anni- 
hilated ;  whereby  a  murderous  law  is  framed  to  shelter 
villains  from  the  hands  of  justice ;  whereby  the  unalienable 
and  inestimable  inheritance,  which  we  derived  from  na« 
tuVe,  the  constitution  of  Britain,  and  the  privileges  war- 
ranted to  us  in  the  charter  of  the  province,  is  totally 
wrecked,  annulled,  and  vacated:  Posterity  will  acknow- 
ledge that  virtue  which  preserved  them  free  and  happy ; 
and  while  we  enjoy  the  rewards  and  blessings  of  the  faith- 
ful, the  torrent  of  panegyrists  will  roll  our  reputations  to 
that  latest  period,  when  the  streams  of  time  shall  be  ab- 
sorbed in  the  abyss  of  eternity. 

"  Therefore  resolved,"  See.  &c.  Sec. 


JVOT£....JVo.  XIII. 

"  Whereas,  since  the  close  of  the  last  war,  the  British 
parliament,  claiming  a  power,  of  right,  to  bind  the  people 
of  America  by  statutes  in  all  cases  whatsoever,  hath  in 
some  acts  expressly  imposed  taxes  on  them ;  and  in  others, 
under  various  pretences,  but  in  fact  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  a  revenue,  hath  imposed  rates  and  duties  payable 
in  these  colonies,  established  a  board  of  commissioners 


—  47  — 

with  unconstitutional  powers,  and  extended  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  courts  of  admiralty,  not  only  for  collecting  the 
said  duties,  but  for  the  trial  of  causes  merely  arising 
within  the  body  of  a  county. 

"And  whereas,  in  consequence  of  other  statutes,  judges, 
who  before  held  only  estates  at  will  in  their  offices,  have 
been  made  dependent  on  the  crown  alone  for  their  salaries, 
and  standing  armies  kept  in  times  of  peace :  And  whereas 
it  has  lately  been  resolved  in  parliament,  that  by  force  of 
a  statute,  made  in  the  thirty-fifth  year  of  the  reign  of 
king  Henry  VIII.  colonists  may  be  transported  to  Eng- 
land and  tried  there  upon  accusations  for  treasons,  and 
misprisions  and  concealments  of  treasons  committed  in 
the  colonies,  and  by  a  late  statute,  such  trials  have  been 
directed  in  cases  therein  mentioned. 

"  And  whereas,  in  the  last  session  of  parliament,  three 
statutes  were  made ;  one  entitled,  '  An  act  to  discontinue 
in  such  manner  and  for  such  time  as  are  therein  men- 
tioned, the  landing  and  discharging,  lading  or  shipping  of 
goods,  wares,  and  merchandise,  at  the  town,  and  within 
the  harbour  of  Boston,  in  the  province  of  Massachusetts 
Bay  in  North  America ;'  another  entitled,  '  An  act  for  the 
better  regulating  the  government  of  the  province  of  Mas- 
sachussettsBay  in  New  England;'  and  another  act,  entitled, 
'  An  act  for  the  impartial  administration  of  justice,  in  the 
cases  of  persons  questioned  for  any  act  done  by  them  in 
the  execution  of  the  law,  or  for  the  suppression  of  riots 
and  tumults,  in  the  province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in 
New  England:'  and  another  statute  was  then  made,  '  for 
making  more  effectual  provision  for  the  government  of  the 
province  of  Quebec,  Sec."  All  which  statutes  are  impolitic, 
unjust,  and  cruel,  as  well  as  unconstitutional,  and  most 
dangerous  and  destructive  of  American  rights. 

"And  whereas,  assemblies  have  been  frequently  dis- 
solved, contrary  to  the  rights  of  the  people,  when  they 
attempted  to  deliberate  on  grievances;  and  their  dutiful, 
humble,  loyal,  and  reasonable  petitions  to  the  crown  for 
redress,  have  been  repeatedly  treated  with  contempt  by 
his  majesty's  ministers  of  state:  the  good  people  of  the 


—  48  — 

several  colonies  of  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts  Bay, 
Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plantations,  Connecticut, 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  New  Castle,  Kent 
and  Sussex  on  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Ca- 
rolina, and  South  Carolina,  justly  alarmed  at  the  arbitrary 
proceedings  of  parliament  and  administration,  have  seve- 
rally elected,  constituted  and  appointed  deputies  to  meet 
and  sit  in  general  congress,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
in  order  to  obtain  such  establishment,  as  that  their  reli- 
gion, laws,  and  liberties,  may  not  be  subverted:  where- 
upon the  deputies  so  appointed  being  now  assembled,  in 
a  full  and  free  representation  of  these  colonies,  taking 
into  their  most  serious  consideration,  the  best  means  of 
attaining  the  ends  aforesaid,  do  in  the  first  place,  as  Eng- 
lishmen their  ancestors  in  like  cases  have  usually  done, 
for  asserting  and  vindicating  their  rights  and  liberties, 
BEG  LAKE,  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  English  colonies  in 
North  America,  by  the  immutable  laws  of  nature,  the 
principles  of  the  English  constitution,  and  the  several 
charters  or  compacts,  have  the  following  rights. 

"  Resolved,  N.  c.  z>.  1st,  that  they  are  entitled  to  life, 
liberty,  and  property ;  and  they  have  never  ceded  to  any 
sovereign  power  whatever,  a  right  to  dispose  of  either 
without  their  consent. 

"  Resolved,  N.  c.  D.  2d,  that  our  ancestors,  who  first 
settled  these  colonies,  were,  at  the  time  of  their  emigra- 
tion from  the  mother  country,  entitled  to  all  the  rights, 
liberties,  and  immunities  of  free  and  natural  born  sub- 
jects, within  the  realm  of  England. 

"  Resolved,  N.  c.  D.  3d,  that  by  such  emigration  they 
by  no  means  foi'feited,  surrendered,  or  lost  any  of  those 
rights,  but  that  they  were,  and  their  descendants  now 
are,  entitled  to  the  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  all  such  of 
them,  as  their  local  and  other  circumstances  enabled  them 
to  exercise  and  enjoy. 

"  Resolved,  4th,  that  the  foundation  of  English  liberty 
and  of  all  free  government,  is  a  right  in  the  people  to 
participate  in  their  legislative  council :  and  as  the  English 
colonists  are  not  represented,  and  from  their  local  and 


4.Q  — 

TC  +J 

other  circumstances  cannot  properly  be  represented  in  the 
British  parliament,  they  are  entitled  to  a  free  and  exclu- 
sive power  of  legislation  in  their  several  provincial  legis-- 
latures,  where  their  right  of  representation  can  alone  be 
preserved,  in  all  cases  of  taxation  and  internal  polity  sub- 
ject only  to  the  negative  of  their  sovereign,  in  such  man* 
ner  as  has  been  heretofore  used  and  accustomed:  but  from 
the  necessity  of  the  case,  and  a  regard  to  the  mutual  in- 
terest of  both  countries,  we  cheerfully  consent  to  the 
operation  of  such  acts  of  the  British  parliament,  as  are, 
bona  Jide,  restrained  to  the  regulation  of  our  external 
commerce,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  commercial 
advantages  of  the  whole  empire  to  the  mother  country, 
and  the  commercial  benefits  of  its  respective  members ; 
excluding  every  idea  of  taxation  internal  or  external,  for 
raising  a  revenue  on  the  subjects  in  America  without  their 
consent. 

"  Resolved,  y.  c.  D.  5th,  that  the  respective  colonies 
are  entitled  to  the  common  law  of  England,  and  more 
especially  to  the  great  and  inestimable  privilege  of  being 
tried  by  their  peers  of  the  vicinage,  according  to  the 
course  of  that  law. 

"  Resolved,  6th,  that  they  are  entitled  to  the  benefit  qf 
such  of  the  English  statutes,  as  existed  at  the  time  of 
their  colonisation;  and  which  they  have,  by  experience, 
respectively  found  to  be  applicable  to  their  several  local 
and  other  circumstances. 

"  Resolved,  xr.  c.  D.  7th,  that  these,  his  majesty's  co- 
lonies are  likewise  entitled  to  all  the  immunities  and  pri- 
vileges granted  and  confirmed  to  them  by  royal  charters, 
or  secured  by  their  several  codes  of  provincial  laws. 

"  Resolved,  if.  c.  D.  8th,  that  they  have  a  right  peace- 
ably to  assemble,  consider  of  their  grievances,  and  peti- 
tion the  king ;  and  that  all  prosecutions,  prohibitory  pro- 
clamations, and  commitments  for  the  same,  are  illegal. 

"  Resolved,  N.  c.  D.  9th,  that  the  keeping  a  standing 
army  in  these  colonies,  in  times  of  peace,  without  the 

VOL.   II.  g 


—  50  •— 

consent  of  the  legislature  of  that  colony  in  which  such 
army  is  kept,  is  against  law. 

"  Resolved,  N.  c.  D.  10th,  it  is  indispensably  necessary 
to  good  government,  and  rendered  essential  by  the  Eng- 
lish constitution,  that  the  constituent  branches  of  the  le- 
gislature be  independent  of  each  other;  that,  therefore, 
the  exercise  of  legislative  power  in  several  colonies,  by 
a  council  appointed,  during  pleasure,  by  the  crown,  is 
unconstitutional,  dangerous,  and  destructive  to  the  free- 
dom of  American  legislation. 

All  and  each  of  which  the  aforesaid  deputies,  in  behalf 
of  themselves  and  their  constituents,  do  claim,  demand, 
and  insist  on,  as  their  indubitable  rights  and  liberties; 
which  cannot  be  legally  taken  from  them,  altered  or 
abridged  by  any  power  whatever,  without  their  own  con- 
sent, by  their  representatives  in  their  several  provincial 
legislatures. 

"  In  the  course  of  our  inquiry,  we  find  many  infringe- 
ments and  violations  of  the  foreg'oing  rights,  which,  from 
an  ardent  desire  that  harmony  and  mxitual  intercourse  of 
affection  and  interest  may  be  restored,  we  pass  over  for 
the  present,  and  proceed  to  state  such  acts  and  measures 
as  have  been  adopted  since  the  last  war,  which  demon- 
strate a  system  formed  to  enslave  America. 

"  Resolved,  N.  c.  D.  that  the  following  acts  of  parliament 
are  infringements  and  violations  of  the  rights  of  the  colo- 
nists; and  that  the  repeal  of  them  is  essentially  necessary, 
in  order  to  restore  harmony  between  Great  Britain  and 
the  American  colonies,  viz. 

"  The  several  acts  of  4  Geo.  III.  chap.  15,  and  chap. 
S4....5  Geo.  III.  chap.  25. ...6  Geo.  III.  chap.  52....T  Geo. 
III.  chap.  41,  and  chap.  4 6... .8  Geo.  III.  chap.  22;  which 
impose  duties  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  revenue  in  Ame- 
rica;' extend  the  power  of  the  admiralty  courts  beyond 
their  ancient  limits ;  deprive  the  American  subject  of  trial 
by  jury;  authorize  the  judge's  certificate  to  indemnify  the 
prosecutor  from  damages,  that  he  might  otherwise  be 
liable  to;  requiring  oppressive  security  from  a  claimant 


—  51  — 

of  ships  and  goods  seized,  before  he  shall  be  allowed  to 
defend  his  property,  and  are  subversive  of  American 
rights. 

"  Also  12  Geo.  III.  chap.  24,  intituled,  '  an  act  for  the 
better  securing  his  majesty's  dockyards,  magazines,  ships, 
ammunition,  and  stores,'  which  declares  a  new  offence  in 
America,  and  deprives  the  American  subject  of  a  consti- 
tutional trial  by  a  jury  of  the  vicinage,  by  authorizing  the 
trial  of  any  person  charged  with  the  committing  of  any 
offence  described  in  the  said  act,  out  of  the  realm,  to  be 
indicted  and  tried  for  the  same  in  any  shire  or  county 
within  the  realm. 

"  Also  the  three  acts  passed  in  the  last  session  of  par- 
liament, for  stopping  the  port  and  blocking  up  the  har- 
bour of  Boston,  for  altering  the  charter  and  government 
of  Massachussetts  Bay,  and  that  which  is  intituled,  '  an 
act  for  the  better  administration  of  justice,  Sec.' 

"  Also,  the  act  passed  in  the  same  session  for  estab- 
lishing the  roman  catholic  religion  in  the  province  of 
Quebec,  abolishing  the  equitable  system  of  English  laws, 
and  erecting  a  tyranny  there,  to  the  great  danger,  (from, 
so  total  a  dissimilarity  of  religion,  law,  and  government) 
of  the  neighbouring  British  colonies,  by  the  assistance  of, 
whose  blood  and  treasure  the  said  country  was  conquered 
from  France. 

"  Also,  the  act  passed  in  the  same  session  for  the  bet- 
ter providing  suitable  quarters  for  officers  and  soldiers  in 
his  majesty's  service  in  North  America. 

"  Also,  that  the  keeping  a  standing  army  in  several  of 
these  colonies,  in  time  of  peace,  without  the  consent  of 
the  legislature  of  that  colony  in  which  such  army  is  kept, 
is  against  law. 

"  To  these  grievous  acts  and  measures,  Americans  can- 
not submit;  but  in  hopes  their  fellow  subjects  in  Great 
Britain  will,  on  a  revision  of  them,  restore  us  to  that 
state,  in  which  both  countries  found  happiness  and  pros- 
perity, we  have  for  the  present  only  resolved  to  pursue 
the  following  peaceable  measures :  1 ,  to  enter  into  a  non- 

g  2 


—  52  — 

importation,  non-consumption,  and  non-exportation  agree- 
ment or  association.  2.  To  prepare  an  address  to  the 
people  of  Great  Britain,  and  a  memorial  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  British  America:  and,  3.  to  prepare  a  loyal  ad- 
dress to  his  majesty,  agreeable  to  resolutions  already  en- 
tered into." 


WOTE....J\fb.  XIV. 

This  resolution  proposed,  "that  when  the  governor, 
council,  and  assembly,  or  general  court  of  any  of  his 
majesty's  provinces  or  colonies  in  America,  shall  propose 
to  make  provision,  according  to  the  condition,  circum- 
stances, and  situation  of  such  province  or  colony,  for 
contributing  its  proportion  to  the  common  defence  (such 
proportion  to  be  raised  under  the  authority  of  the  general 
court,  or  general  assembly,  of  such  province  or  colony, 
and  disposable  by  parliament)  and  shall  engage  to  make 
provision,  also,  for  the  support  of  the  civil  government, 
and  the  administration  of  justice  in  such  province  or  colony, 
it  will  be  proper,  if  such  proposal  should  be  approved  by 
his  majesty  and  the  two  houses  of  parliament,  and  for  so 
long  as  such  provision  should  be  made  accordingly,  to 
forbear,  in  respect  of  such  province  or  colony,  to  levy 
any  duties,  tax  or  assessment ;  or  to  impose  any  further 
duty,  tax  or  assessment,  except  only  such  duties  as  it 
may  be  expedient  to  continue  to  levy  or  to  impose  for  the 
regulation  of  the  commerce,  the  net  produce  of  the  duties 
last  mentioned  to  be  carried  to  the  account  of  such  pro- 
vince, colony,  or  plantation,  respectively." 

This  resolution  was  communicated  to  congress,  on  the 
30th  of  May,  in  the  following  manner;...."  a  member 
informed  the  congress,  that  a  gentleman,  just  arrived 
from  London,  had  brought  with  him  a  paper,  which,  he 
says,  he  received  from  lord  North,  and  which  was  written, 
at  the  desire  of  his  lordship,  by  mr.  Grey  Cooper, 


tinder  secretary  to  the  treasury,  and  as  the  gentleman 
understood  it  to  be  his  lordship's  desire  that  it  should  be 
communicated  to  the  congress,  for  that  purpose  he  hod 
put  it  into  his  hands. 

The  member  further  observed,  that  he  had  shown  the 
paper  to  a  member  near  him,  who  was  well  acquainted 
with  the  hand  writing  of  mr.  Cooper,  and  that  he  verily 
believes  the  paper  was  written  by  mr.  Cooper.  The  paper 
being  read,  is  as  follows : 

"  That  it  is  earnestly  hoped  by  all  the  real  friends  of  the 
Americans,  that  the  terms  expressed  in  the  resolution  of 
the  20th  of  February  last,  will  be  accepted  by  all  the  colo- 
nies, who  have  the  least  affection  for  their  king  and 
country,  or  a  just  sense  of  their  own  interest. 

"  That  these  terms  are  honourable  for  Great  Britain, 
and  safe  for  the  colonies. 

"  That  if  the  colonies  are  not  blinded  by  faction,  these 
terms  will  remove  every  grievance  relative  to  taxation, 
and  be  the  basis  of  a  compact  between  the  colonies  and 
the  mother  country. 

"  That  the  people  in  America  ought,  on  every  consi- 
deration, to  be  satisfied  with  them. 

"  That  no  further  relaxation  can  be  admitted. 

"  The  temper  and  spirit  of  the  nation  are  so  much 
against  concessions,  that  if  it  were  the  intention  of  the 
administration,  they  could  not  carry  the  question. 

"  But  administration  have  no  such  intention,  as  they 
are  fully  and  firmly  persuaded,  that  further  concessions 
would  be  injurious  to  the  colonies  as  well  as  to  Great 
Britain. 

"  That  there  is  not  the  least  probability  of  a  change  of 
administration. 

"  That  they  are  perfectly  united  in  opinion,  and  deter- 
mined to  pursue  the  most  effectual  measures,  and  to  use 
the  whole  force  of  the  kingdom,  if  it  be  found  necessary, 
to  reduce  the  rebellious  and  refractory  provinces  and 
colonies,  ' 


—  54  — 

"  There  is  so  great  a  spirit  in  the  nation  against  the 
congress,  that  the  people  will  bear  the  temporary  dis- 
tresses of  a  stoppage  of  the  American  trade. 

"  They  may  depend  on  this  to  be  true." 

This  paper  was  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table,  and  the  reso- 
lution which  had  been  referred  to  congress  by  the  legisla- 
tures of  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  and  Virginia,  was  not 
acted  on  until  the  last  of  July,  some  time  after  hostilities 
had  commenced,  when  it  was  resolved,  "  that  the  colonies 
of  America  are  entitled  to  the  sole  and  exclusive  privilege 
of  giving  and  granting  their  own  money.  That  this 
involves  a  right  of  deliberating  whether  they  will  make 
any  gift,  for  what  purposes  it  shall  be  made,  and  what 
shall  be  its  amount ;  and  that  it  is  a  high  breach  of  this 
privilege  for  any  body  of  men,  extraneous  to  their  constitu- 
tions, to  prescribe  the  purposes  for  which  money  shall  be 
levied  on  them,  to  take  to  themselves  the  authority  of 
judging  of  their  conditions,  circumstances,  and  situations, 
and  of  determining  the  amount  of  the  contribution  to  be 
levied. 

That  as  the  colonies  possess  a  right  of  appropriating 
their  gifts,  so  are  they  entitled  at  all  times,  to  inquire  into 
their  application,  to  see  that  they  be  not  wasted  among 
the  venal  and  corrupt  for  the  purpose  of  undermining  the 
civil  rights  of  the  givers,  nor  yet  be  diverted  to  the  sup- 
port of  standing  armies,  inconsistent  with  their  freedom, 
and  subversive  of  their  quiet.  To  propose,  therefore,  as 
this  resolution  does,  that  the  monies  given  by  the  colonies 
shall  be  subject  to  the  disposal  of  parliament  alone,  is  to 
propose  that  they  shall  relinquish  this  right  of  inquiry, 
and  put  it  in  the  power  of  others  to  render  their  gifts 
ruinous,  in  proportion  as  they  are  liberal. 

That  this  privilege  of  giving  or  of  withholding  our 
monies,  is  an  important  barrier  against  the  undue  exer«- 
tion  of  prerogative,  which,  if  left  altogether  without  con- 
trol, may  be  exercised  to  our  great  oppression  ;  and  all 
history  shows  how  efficacious  is  its  intercession  for  redress 
of  grievances,  and  re-establishment  of  rights,  and  how 


—  55  — 

improvident  it  would  be  to  part  with  so  powerful  a  medi- 
ator. 

We  are  of  opinion  that  the  proposition  contained  in  this 
resolution  is  unreasonable  and  insidious;  unreasonable, 
because,  if  we  declare  we  accede  to  it,  we  declare  with-, 
out  reservation,  we  will  purchase  the  favour  of  parliament, 
not  knowing  at  the^  same  time  at  what  price  they  will 
please  to  estimate  their  favour ;  it  is  insidious,  because, 
individual  colonies,  having  bid  and  bidden  again,  until 
they  find  the  avidity  of  the  seller  too  great  for  all  their 
powers  to  satisfy  ;  are  then  to  return  into  opposition, 
divided  from  their  sister  colonies,  whom  the  minister  will 
have  previously  detached  by  a  grant  of  easier  terms,  or 
by  an  artful  procrastination  of  a  definitive  answer. 

That  the  suspension  of  the  exercise  of  their  pretended 
power  of  taxation  being  expressly  made  commensurate  with 
the  continuance  of  our  gifts,  these  must  be  perpetual  to 
make  that  so.  Whereas  no  experience  has  shewn  that  a 
gift  of  perpetual  revenue  secures  a  perpetual  return  of 
duty  or  of  kind  disposition.  On  the  contrary,  the  parlia- 
ment itself,  wisely  attentive  to  this  observation,  are  in 
the  established  practice  of  granting  their  supplies  from 
year  to  year  only. 

Desirous  and  determined  as  we  are  to  consider,  in  thQ 
most  dispassionate  view,  every  seeming  advance  towards 
a  reconciliation  made  by  the  British  parliament,  let  our 
brethren  of  Britain  reflect  what  would  have  been  the 
sacrifice  to  men  of  free  spirits,  had  even  fair  terms  been 
proffered,  as  these  insidious  proposals  were,  with  circum- 
stances of  insult  and  defiance.  A  proposition  to  give  our 
money,  accompanied  with  large  fleets  and  armies,  seems 
addressed  to  our  fears  rather  than  to  our  freedom.  With 
what  patience  would  Britons  have  received  articles  of 
treaty  from  any  power  on  earth  when  borne  on  the  point 
of  a  bayonet  by  military  plenipotentiaries  ? 

We  think  the  attempt  unnecessary  to  raise  upon  us  by 
force  or  by  threats  our  proportional  contributions  to  the 
common  defence,  when  ali  know,  and  themselves  acknow* 


—  5G  —    » 

ledge,  we  have  fully  contributed,  whenever  called  upon 
to  do  so  in  the  character  of  freemen. 

We  are  of  opinion  it  is  not  just  that  the  colonies  should 
be  required  to  oblige  themselves  to  other  contributions* 
while  Great  Britain  possesses  a  monopoly  of  their  trade* 
This  of  itself  lays  them  under  heavy  contribution.  To 
demand,  therefore,  additional  aids  in  the  form  of  a  tax,  is 
to  demand  the  double  of  their  equal  proportion.  If  we 
are  to  contribute  equally  with  the  other  parts  of  the  em- 
pire, let  us  equally  with  them,  enjoy  free  commerce  with 
the  whole  world.  But  while  the  restrictions  on  our  trade 
shut  to  us  the  resources  of  wealth,  is  it  just  we  should 
bear  all  other  burdens  equally  with  those  to  whom  every 
resource  is  open? 

We  conceive  that  the  British  parliament  has  no  right 
to  intermeddle  with  our  provisions  for  the  support  of  civil 
government,  or  administration  of  justice.  The  provi- 
sions we  have  made  are  such  as  please  ourselves,  and  are 
agreeable  to  our  circumstances:  they  answer  the  sub- 
stantial purposes  of  government  and  of  justice,  and  other 
purposes  than  these  should  not  be  answered.  We  do  not 
mean  that  our  people  shall  be  burdened  with  oppressive 
taxes,  to  provide  sinecures  for  the  idle  or  the  wicked, 
under  colour  of  providing  for  a  civil  list.  While  parlia- 
ment pursue  their  plan  of  civil  government  within  their 
own  jurisdiction,  we  also  hope  to  pursue  ours  without 
molestation. 

We  are  of  opinion  the  proposition  is  altogether  unsatis- 
factory; because  it  imports  only  a  suspension  of  the 
mode,  not  a  renunciation  of  the  pretended  right  to  tax 
us:  because  too,  it  does  not  propose  to  repeal  the  seve- 
ral acts  of  parliament,  passed  for  the  purposes  of  restrain- 
ing the  trade,  and  altering  the  form  of  government  of  one 
of  our  colonies;  extending  the  boundaries  and  changing 
the  government  of  Quebec  ;  enlarging  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  courts  of  admiralty  and  vice  admiralty  ;  taking  from 
us  the  rights  of  a  trial  by  a  jury  of  the  vicinage,  in  cases 
affecting  both  life  and  property  ;  transporting  us  into 


—  57  — 

other  countries  to  be  tried  for  criminal  offences;  exempt- 
ing-, by  mock  trial,  the  murderers  of  colonists  from 
punishment  ;  and  quartering  soldiers  upon  us  in  times  of 
profound  peace.  Nor  do  they  renounce  the  power  of  sus- 
pending our  own  legislatures,  and  of  legislating  for  us 
themselves,  in  all  cases  whatsoever.  On  the  contrary,  to 
show  they  mean  no  discontinuance  of  injury,  they  pass 
acts,  at  the  very  time  of  holding  out  this  proposition,  for 
restraining  the  commerce  and  fisheries  of  the  provinces 
of  New  England,  and  for  interdicting  the  trade  of  other 
colonies  with  all  foreign  nations,  and  with  each  other. 
This  proves,  unequivocally,  they  mean  not  to  relinquish 
the  exercise  of  indiscriminate  legislation  over  us. 

Upon  the  whole,  this  proposition  seems  to  have  been 
held  up  to  the  world,  to  deceive  it  into  a  belief  that  there 
was  nothing  in  dispute  between  us,  but  the  mode  of  levy- 
ing taxes  ;  and  that  the  parliament  having  now  been  so 
good  as  to  give  up  this,  the  colonies  are  unreasonable, 
if  not  perfectly  satisfied ;  whereas,  in  truth,  our  adver- 
saries still  claim  a  right  of  demanding  ad  libitum,  and  of 
taxing  us  themselves  to  the  full  amount  of  their  demand, 
if  we  do  not  comply  with  it.  This  leaves  us  without  any 
thing  we  can  call  property.  But,  what  is  of  more  impor- 
tance, and  what  in  this  proposal  they  keep,  out  of  sight, 
as  if  no  such  point  was  now  in  contest  between  us,  they 
claim  a  right  to  alter  our  charters,  and  establish  laws, 
and  leave  us  without  any  security  for  our  lives  or  liber- 
ties. The  proposition  seems 'also  to  have  been  calculated 
more  particularly  to  lull  into  fatal  security  our  Avell 
affected  fellow  subjects  on  the  other  side  of  the  water,  until 
time  should  be  given  for  the  operation  of  those  arms, 
which,  a  British  minister  pronounced,  would  instantane- 
ously reduce  the  "  cowardly"  sons  of  America  to  unre- 
served submission.  But  when  the  world  reflects,  how 
inadequate  to  justice  are  these  vaunted  terms ;  when  it 
attends  to  the  rapid  and  bold  succession  of  injuries,  which, 
during  a  course  of  eleven  years,  have  been  aimed  at  these 
colonies;  when  it  reviews  the  pacific  and  respectful  expos- 

VOL.  ii.  h 


—  58  — 

tulations,  which,  during  that  whole  time,  were  the  sole 
arms  we  opposed  to  them  ;  Avhen  it  observes  that  our 
complaints  were  either  not  heard  at  all,  or  were  answered 
with  new  and  accumulated  injuries  ;  when  it  recollects 
that  the  minister  himself  on  an  early  occasion  declared, 
"  that  he  would  never  treat  with  America,  until  he  had 
brought  her  to  his  feet,"  and  that  an  avowed  partisan  of 
ministry  has  more  lately  denounced  against  us  the  dreadful 
sentence  "  delenda  est  Carthago,"  that  this  was  done  in 
presence  of  aBritish  senate,  and  being unreproved  by  them, 
must  be  taken  to  be  their  own  sentiment,  (especially  as 
the  purpose  has  already  in  part  been  carried  into  execu- 
tion, by  their  treatment  of  Boston,  and  burning  of  Charles- 
town  ;)  when  it  considers  the  great  armaments  with  which 
they  have  invaded  us,  and  the  circumstances  of  cruelty 
with  which  they  have  commenced  and  prosecuted  hostili- 
ties :  when  these  things,  we  say,  are  laid  together  and 
attentively  considered,  can  the  world  be  deceived  into  an 
opinion  that  we  are  unreasonable,  or  can  it  hesitate  to 
believe  with  us,  that  nothing  but  our  own  exertions  may 
defeat  the  ministerial  sentence  of  death  or  abject  submis- 
sion." 


[Referred  to  in  page  207.] 
MOTE....W.  XIV. 

"  To  the  oppressed  inhabitants  of  Canada. 
**  Friends  and  countiymen, 

"  Alarmed  by  the  design  of  an  arbitrary  ministry  to 
extirpate  the  rights  and  liberties  of  all  America,  a  sense 
of  common  danger  conspired  with  the  dictates  of  humanity, 
in  urging  us  to  call  your  attention,  by  our  late  address,  to 
this  very  important  object. 

"  Since  the  conclusion  of  the  late  war,  we  have  been 
happy  in  considering  you  as  fellow  subjects,  and  from  the 
commencement  of  the  present  plan  for  subjugating  the 


—  59  — 

continent,  we  have  viewed  you  as  fellow  sufferers  with  us. 
As  we  were  both  entitled  by  the  bounty  of  an  indulgent 
creator  to  freedom,  and  being  both  devoted  by  the  cruel 
edicts  of  a  despotic  administration,  to  common  ruin,  we 
perceived  the  fate  of  the  protestant  and  catholic  colonies 
to  be  strongly  linked  together,  and  therefore  invked  you 
to  join  with  us  in  resolving  to  be  free,  and  in  rejecting, 
with  disdain,  the  fetters  of  slavery,  however  artfully 
polished. 

"  We  most  sincerely  condole  with  you  on  the  arrival  of 
that  day,  in  the  course  of  which  the  sun  could  not  shine 
on  a  single  freeman  in  all  your  extensive  dominion.  Be 
assured,  that  your  unmerited  degradation  has  engaged  the 
most  unfeigned  pity  of  your  sister  colonies;  and  we  flat- 
ter ourselves  you  will  not,  by  tamely  bearing  the  yoke, 
suffer  that  pity  to  be  supplanted  by  contempt. 

"  When  hardy  attempts  are  made  to  deprive  men  of 
rights  bestowed  by  the  Almighty ;  when  avenues  are  cut 
through  the  most  solemn  compacts  for  the  admission  of 
despotism  ;  when  the  plighted  faith  of  government  ceases 
to  give  security  to  dutiful  subjects,,and  when  the  insidious 
stratagems  and  manoeuvres  of  peace,  become  more  terrible 
than  the  sanguinary  operations  of  war;  it  is  high  time  for 
them  to  assert  those  rights,  and,  with  honest  indignation, 
oppose  the  torrent  of  oppression  rushing  in  upon  them. 

"  By  the  introduction  of  ycur  present  form  of  govern- 
ment, or  rather,  present  form  of  tyranny,  you  and  your 
wives  and  your  children  are  made  slaves.  You  have  no- 
thing that  you  can  call  your  own,  and  all  the  fruits  of 
your  labour  and  industry  may  be  taken  from  you,  when- 
ever an  avaricious  governor  and  a  rapacious  council  may 
incline  to  demand  them.  You  are  liable  by  their  edicts  to 
be  transported  into  foreign  countries  to  fight  battles  in 
which  you  have  no  interest,  and  to  spill  your  blood  in  con- 
flicts from  which  neither  honour,  nor  emolument  can  be 
derived:  nay,  the  enjoyment  of  your  very  religion,  on  the 
present  system,  depends  on  a  legislature  in  which  you 
have  no  share,  and  over  which  you  have  no  control ;  and 

h2 


—  60  — 

your  priests  are  exposed  to  expulsion,  banishment,  and 
ruin,  whenever  their  wealth  and  possessions  furnish  suf- 
ficient temptation.  They  cannot  be  sure  that  a  virtuous 
prince  will  always  fill  the  throne,  and  should  a  wicked  or 
a  careless  king  concur  with  a  wicked  ministry  in  extract- 
ing the  treasure  and  strength  of  your  country,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  conceive,  to  what  variety,  and  to  what  extremes  of 
wretchedness,  you  may,  under  the  present  establishment, 
be  reduced. 

"  We  are  informed  you  have  already  been  called  upon 
to  waste  your  lives  in  a  contest  with  us.  Should  you,  by 
complying  in  this  instance,  assent  to  your  new  establish- 
ment, and  a  war  break  out  with  France,  your  wealth  and 
your  sons  may  be  sent  to  perish  in  expeditions  against 
their  islands  in  the  West  Indies. 

"  It  cannot  be  presumed  that  these  considerations  will 
have  no  weight  with  you,  or  that  you  are  so  lost  to  all 
sense  of  honour.  We  can  never  believe  that  the  present 
race  of  Canadians  are  so  degenerated  as  to  possess  neither 
the  spirit,  the  gallantry,  nor  the  courage  of  their  ancestors. 
You  certainly  will  not  permit  the  infamy  and  disgrace  of 
such  pusillanimity  to  rest  on  tyour  own  heads,  and  the 
consequences  of  it  on  your  children  forever. 

"  We  for  our  parts  are  determined  to  live  free  or  not 
at  all,  and  a>^  resolved  that  posterity  shall  never  reproach 
us  with  having  brought  slaves  into  the  world. 

"  Permit  us  again  to  repeat  that  we  are  your  friends, 
not  your  enemies ;  and  be  not  imposed  upon  by  those  who 
may  endeavour  to  create  animosities.  The  taking  of  the 
fort  and  military  stores  at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point, 
and  the  armed  vessels  on  the  lake,  was  dictated  by  the 
great  law  of  self  preservation.  They  were  intended  to 
annoy  us,  and  to  cut  off  that  friendly  intercourse  and 
communication,  which  have  hithei'to  subsisted  between 
you  and  us.  We  hope  it  has  given  you  no  uneasiness, 
and  you  may  rely  on  our  assurances,  that  these  colonies 
will  pursue  no  measures  whatever,  but  such  as  friendship 
and,  a  regard  for  our  mutual  safety  and  interest  may  sug- 
gest. 


—  61  — 

"  As  oui'  concern  for  your  welfare  entitles  us  to  your 
friendship,  we  presume  you  will  not,  by  doing  us  injury, 
reduce  us  to  the  disagreeable  necessity  of  treating  you  as 
enemies. 

"  We  yet  entertain  hopes  of  your  uniting  with  us  in  the 
defence  of  our  common  liberty,  and  there  is  yet  reason 
to  believe,  that  should  we  join  in  imploring  the  attention 
of  our  sovereign,  to  the  unmerited  and  unparalleled  op- 
pressions of  his  American  subjects,  he  will  at  length  be 
undeceived,  and  forbid  a  licentious  ministry  any  longer  to 
riot  in  the  ruins  of  the  rights  of  mankind." 

The  committee  appointed  to  draw  this  letter  consisted 
of  mr.  Jay,  mr.  Samuel  Adams,  and  mr.  Deane. 


JVOTE....M).  xr. 

The  delegates  of  the  United  Colonies  of  New  Hampshire, 
Massachusetts  Bay,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  New 
York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  the  counties  of  New- 
castle, Kent  and  Sussex  on  Delaware,  Maryland,  Vir- 
ginia, North  Carolina,  and  South  Carolina: 
To  George  Washington,  esquire. 

We,  reposing  special  trust  and  confidence  in  your 
patriotism,  valour,  conduct,  and  fidelity,  do,  by  these 
presents  constitute  and  appoint  you  to  be  general  and  com- 
mander in  chief  of  the  army  of  the  United  Colonies,  and 
of  all  the  forces  now  raised,  or  to  be  raised  by  them,  and 
of  all  others  who  shall  voluntarily  offer  their  service,  and 
join  the  said  army  for  the  defence  'of  American  liberty, 
and  for  repelling  every  hostile  invasion  thereof:  and  you 
are  hereby  invested  with  full  power  and  authority  to  act 
as  you  shall  think  for  the  good  and  welfare  of  the  service. 

And  we  do  hereby  strictly  charge  and  require  all  officers 
and  soldiers  under  your  command,  to  be  obedient  to  your 
orders,  and  diligent  in  the  exercise  of  their  several  duties. 


—  62  — 

And  we  also  enjoin  and  require  you  to  be  careful  in 
executing  the  great  trust  reposed  in  you,  by  causing  strict 
discipline  and  order  to  be  observed  in  the  army,  and  that 
the  soldiers  be  duly  exercised  and  provided  with  all  con- 
venient necessaries. 

And  you  are  to  regulate  your  conduct  in  every  respect 
by  the  rules  and  discipline  of  war,  (as  herewith  given  you) 
and  punctually  to  observe  and  follow  such  orders  and 
directions  from  time  to  time  as  you  shall  receive  from  this 
or  a  future  congress  of  these  United  Colonies,,  or  com- 
mittee of  congress. 

This  commission  to  continue  in  force,  until  revoked  by 
this,  or  a  future  congress. 


JVOTE....M).  XVI. 

Whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  this  congress,  that 
divers  well  meaning  and  honest,  but  uninformed  people 
in  these  colonies  have,  by  the  art  and  address  of  ministe- 
rial agents,  been  deceived  and  drawn  into  erroneous 
opinions  respecting  the  American  cause,  and  the  pro- 
bable issue  of  the  present  contest ; 

Resolved,  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  different 
committees,  and  other  friends  to  American  liberty,  in  the 
said  colonies,  to  treat  all  such  persons  with  kindness  and 
attention ;  to  consider  them  as  the  inhabitants  of  a  coun- 
try determined  to  be  free,  and  to  view  their  errors  as 
proceeding  rather  from  want  of  information,  than  want  of 
virtue  or  public  spirit;  to  explain  to  them  the  origin, 
nature  and  extent  of  the  present  controversy ;  to  acquaint 
them  with  the  fate  of  the  numerous  petitions  presented 
to  his  majesty  as  well  by  assemblies  as  by  congresses,  for 
reconciliation  and  I'edress  of  grievances,  and  that  the  last 
from  this  congress,  humbly  requesting  the  single  favour 
of  being  heard,  like  all  others,  has  proved  unsuccessful; 
to  unfold  to  them  the  various  arts  of  administration  to 


—  63  — 

insnare  and  enslave  us,  and  the  manner  in  which  we  have 
been  cruelly  driven  to  defend,  by  arms,  those  very  rights, 
liberties,  and  estates,  which  we  and  our  forefathers  had 
so  long  enjoyed  unmolested  in  the  reigns  of  his  present 
majesty's  predecessors.  And  it  is  hereby  recommended 
to  all  conventions  and  assemblies,  in  these  colonies, 
liberally  to  distribute  among  the  people  the  proceedings 
of  this  and  the  former  congress,  the  late  speeches  of  the 
great  patriots  in  both  houses  of  parliament  relative  to 
American  grievances,  and  such  other  pamphlets  and  pa- 
pers as  tend  to  elucidate  the  merits  of  the  American  cause, 
the  congress  being  fully  persuaded  that  the  more  our  right 
to  the  enjoyment  of  our  ancient  liberties  and  privileges 
is  examined,  the  more  just  and  necessary  our  present  op- 
position to  ministerial  tyranny  will  appear. 

And,  with  1'espect  to  all  such  unworthy  Americans  as, 
regardless  of  their  duty  to  their  creator,  their  country, 
and  their  posterity,  have  taken  part  with  our  oppressors, 
and,  influenced  by  the  hope  of  possessing  ignominkms 
rewards,  strive  to  recommend  themselves  to  the  bounty 
of  administration,  by  misrepresenting  and  traducing  the 
conduct  and  principles  of  the  friends  of  American  liberty, 
and  opposing  every  measure  formed  for  its  preservation 
and  security. 

Resolved,  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  different 
assemblies,  conventions  and  committees,  or  councils  of 
safety  of  the  United  Colonies,  by  the  most  speedy  and 
effectual  measures,  to  frustrate  the  mischievous  machina- 
tions, and  restrain  the  wicked  practices  of  these  men: 
and  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  congress,  that  they  ought  to  be 
disarmed,  and  the  more  dangerous  among  them  either 
kept  in  safe  custody,  or  bound  with  sufficient  sureties  to 
their  good  behaviour. 

And,  in  order  that  the  said  assemblies,  conventions, 
committees,  or  councils  of  safety  may  be  enabled  with 
greater  ease  and  facility  to  carry  this  resolution  into  ex- 
ecution, 


—  64  — 

Resolved,  that  they  be  authorized  to  call  to  their  aid 
whatever  continental  troops,  stationed  in  or  near  their 
respective  colonies,  may  be  conveniently  spared  from  their 
more  immediate  duty ;  and  the  commanding  officers  of 
such  troops  are  hereby  directed  to  afford  the  said  assem- 
blies, conventions,  committees,  or  councils  of  safety,  all 
such  assistance  in  executing  this  resolution,  as  they  may 
require,  and  which  consistent  with  the  good  of  the  service 
may  be  supplied. 

Resolved,  that  all  detachments  of  continental  troops, 
which  may  be  ordered  on  the  business  in  the  foregoing- 
resolution  mentioned,  be,  while  so  employed,  under  the 
direction  and  control  of  the  assemblies,  conventions, 
committees,  or  councils  of  safety  aforesaid. 


NOTE....WO.  XVII. 


letter  is  so  truly  characteristic  of  the  writer,  and  treats 
in  a  manner  so  peculiar  to  himself^  the  measures  of  con- 
gress on  this  subject  that,  although  it  may  not  be  imme- 
diately connected  'with  the  Life  of  General  Washington, 
the  reader  will  not  be  displeased  with  its  insertion. 

Stamford,  January  22,  1779. 

•Sir, 

As  general  Washington  has  informed  the  congress  of 
his  motives  for  detaching  me,  it  is  needless  to  trouble 
you  upon  the  subject.  I  am  therefore  only  to  inform  you 
that  I  have  collected  a  body  of  about  twelve  hundred  men 
from  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  whose  zeal  and  ardour 
demonstrated  on  this  occasion  cannot  be  sufficiently 
praised.  With  this  body  I  am  marching  directly  to  New 
York  to  execute  the  different  purposes  for  which  I  am 
detached.  I  am  sensible,  sir,  that  nothing  can  carry  the 
air  of  greater  presumption  than  a  servant  intruding  hi$ 
opinion  unasked  upon  his  master,  but  at  the  same  time 


—  65  — 

there  are  certain  seasons  when  the  real  danger  of  the 
master  may  not  only  excuse,  but  render  laudable,  the 
servant's  offieiousness.  I  therefore  flatter  myself  that 
the  congress  will  receive  with  indulgence  and  lenity  the 
opinion  I  shall  offer.  The  scheme  of  simply  disarming 
the  tories  seems  to  me  totally  ineffectual;  it  will  only 
embitter  their  minds  and  add  virus  to  their  venom.  They 
can,  and  will,  always  be  supplied  with  fresh  arms  by 
the  enemy.  That  of  seizing  the  most  dangerous  will,  I 
apprehend,  from  the  vagueness  of  the  instruction,  be 
attended  with  some  bad  consequences,  and  can  answer  no 
good  one.  It  opens  so  wide  a  door  for  partiality  and  pre- 
judice to  the  different  congresses  and  committees  on  the 
continent,  that  much  discord  and  animosity  "will  probably 
ensue ;  it  being  next  to  impossible  to  distinguish  who  are, 
and  who  are  not  the  most  dangerous.  The  plan  of 
explaining  to  these  deluded  people  the  justice  and  merits 
of  the  American  cause  is  certainly  generous  and  humane, 
but  I  am  afraid,  will  be  fruitless.  They  are  so  ri vetted 
in  their  opinions,  that  I  am  persuaded  should  an  angel 
descend  from  heaven  with  his  golden  trumpet  and  ring 
in  their  ears  that  their  conduct  was  criminal,  he  would 
be  disregarded.  I  had  lately  myself  an  instance  of  their 
infatuation,  which,  if  it  is  not  impertinent,  I  will  relate. 
At  Newport  I  took  the  liberty,  without  any  authority  but^ 
the  conviction  of  necessity,  to  administer  a  very  strong 
oath  to  some  of  the  leading  tories,  for  which  liberty  I  ' 
humbly  ask  pardon  of  the  congress.  One  article  of  this 
oath  was  to  take  arms  in  defence  of  their  country,  if  called 
upon  by  the  voice  of  the  congress.  To  this  colonel 
Wanton  and  others  flatly  refused  their  assent;  to  take 
arms  against  their  sovereign  they  said,  was  too  monstrous 
an  impiety.  I  asked  them  if  they  had  lived  at  the 
time  of  the  revolution  whether  they  would  have  been 
Revolutionists. ...their  answers  were  at  first  evasive,  cir- 
cuitous, and  unintelligible,  but,  by  fixing  them  down 
VOL.  ii.  i 


—  66  — 

precisely  to  the  question,  I  at  length  drew  from  them  a 
po'sitive  confession  that  no  violence,  no  provocation  on 
the  part  of  the  court,  could  prevail  upon  them  to  act  with 
the  continent.  Such,  I  am  afraid,  is  the  creed  and  prin- 
ciples of  the  whole  party  great  and  small. ...Sense,  reason, 
argument,  and  eloquence,  have  been  expended  in  vain  ; 
and  in  vain  you  may  still  argue  and  reason  to  the  end  of 
time.  Even  the  common  feelings  and  resentments  of 
humanity  have  not  aroused  them,  but  rather  with  a  ma- 
lignant pleasure  they  have  beheld  the  destruction  of  their 
fellow  citizens  and  relations.  But  I  am  running  into 
declamation,  perhaps  impertinent  and  presuming,  when  I 
ought  to  confine  myself  to  the  scheme  I  submit  to  your 
consideration.  It  is,  sir,  in  the  first  place,  to  disarm  all 
the  manifestly  disaffected,  as  well  of  the  lower  as  the 
higher  class,  not  on  the  principle  of  putting  them  in  a 
state  of  impotence  (for  this  I  observed  before  will  not  be 
the  case)  but  to  supply  our  troops  with  arms  of  which 
they  stand  in  too  great  need.  Secondly,  to  appraise  their 
estates  and  oblige  them  to  deposit  at  least  the  value  of 
one  half  of  their  respective  property  in  the  hands  of  the 
continental  congress  as  a  security  for  their  good  beha- 
viour. And  lastly,  to  administer  the  strongest  oath  that 
can  be  devised  to  act  offensively  and  defensively  in  sup- 
port of  the  common  rights.  I  confess  that  men  so  eaten 
up  with  bigotry,  as  the  bulk  of  them  appear  to  be,  will 
not  consider  themselves  as  bound  by  this  oath  ;  particu- 
larly as  it  is  in  some  measure  forced}  they  will  argue  it  is 
by  no  means  obligatory ;  but  if  I  mistake  not,  it  will  be  a 
sort  of  criterion  by  which  you  will  be  able  to  distinguish 
the  desperate  fanaticks  from  those  who  are  reclaimable. 
The  former  must  of  course  be  secured  and  carried  into 
some  interior  parts  of  the  continent  where  they  cannot 
be  dangerous.  This  mode  of  proceeding  I  conceive  (if 
any  can)  will  be  effectual. ...but  whether  it  meets  with  the 
approbation  or  disapprobation  of  the  congress,  I  most 
humbly  conjure  them  not  to  attribute  the  proposal  to  ar- 


—  67  — 

rogance,  or  self  conceit,  or  pragmatical  officiousness,  but, 
at  worst,  to  an  intemperate  zeal  for  the  public  service. 

Notwithstanding  the  apparent  slimness  of  the  authority, 
as  I  am  myself  convinced  that  it  is  substantial,  I  think 
it  my  duty  to  communicate  a  circumstance  to  congress. 
I  have  with  me  here,  sir,  a  deserter  from  captain  Wal- 
lace's ship  before  Newport.  It  is  necessary  to  inform 
you  that  this  captain  Wallace  has  the  reputation  of  being 
the  most  imprudent  and  rash  of  all  mortals. ...particularly 
when  he  is  heated  with  wine,  which,  as  reported,  is  a 
daily  incident :  that  in  these  moments  he  blabs  his  most 
seci'et  instructions  even  to  the  common  men.  This  de- 
serter, then,  informs  us  that  the  captain  a  few  days  ago 
assembled  the  sailors  and  marines  on  the  quarter-deck, 
and  assured  them,  by  way  of  encouragement,  that  they 
were  to  proceed  very  soon  to  New  York  where  they  were 
to  be  joined  by  his  majesty's  most  loyal  subjects  of  White 
Plains,  Poughkeepsie,  and  Long  island,  and  at  the  same 
time  bestowed  abundantly  his  curses  on  the  admiral  and 
general  for  their  dilatoriness  and  scandalous  conduct  in 
not  availing  themselves  sooner  of  the  invitation  they  had 
received  from  the  worthy  gentlemen.  The  congress  will 
make  what  comments  they  please  on  this  information, 
which  I  must  repeat  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  communi- 
cate. Upon  the  whole,  sir,  you  may  be  assured  that  it  is 
the  intention  of  the  ministerialists  to  take  possession,  and 
immediately,  of  New  York.  The  intercepted  letters,  the 
unguarded  expressions  of  their  officers,  in  their  interviews 
with  ours  on  the  lines,  but  above  all  the  manifest  advan- 
tages resulting  to  their  cause  from  this  measure,  put 
their  intention  beyond  dispute.  With  submission  there- 
fore to  the  wisdom  of  the  congress  it  •behoves  them  I 
should  think,  not  to  lose  a  moment  in  securing  this  im- 
portant post,  which,  if  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy  must 
cut  the  continent  in  twain,  and  render  it  almost  impossible 
for  the  northern  and  southern  colonies  to  support  each. 

i  2 


—  68  — 

other.  This  crisis,  when  every  thing  is  at  stake,  is  not 
a  time  to  be  over  complacent  to  the  timidity  of  the  inha- 
bitants of  any  particular  spot.  I  have  now  under  my 
command  a  respectable  force  adequate  to  the  purpose  of 
securing  the  place,  and  purging  all  its  environs  of  traitors, 
on  which  subject  I  shall  expect  with  impatience  the  de- 
termination of  the  congress.  Their  orders  I  hope  to 
receive  before  or  immediately  on  my  arrival. 

This  instant,  the  enclosed,  express  from  the  provincial 
congress  of  New  York,  was  delivered  into  my  hands,  but 
as  these  gentlemen  probably  are  not  fully  apprized  of  the 
danger  hanging  over  their  heads,  as  I  have  received  intel- 
ligence from  the  camp  that  the  fleet  is  sailed,  and  that  it 
is  necessary  to  urge  my  march,  I  shall  proceed  with  one 
division  of  the  forces  under  my  command  to  that  city.  A 
moment's  delay  may  be  fatal.  The  force  I  shall  carry 
with  me  is  not  strong  enough  to  act  offensively,  but  just 
sufficient  to  secure  the  city  against  any  immediate  designs 
of  the  enemy.  If  this  is  to  give  umbrage,  if  the  gover- 
nor and  captain  of  the  man  of  war  are  pleased  to  con- 
strue this  step  as  an  act  of  positive  hostility,  if  they  are 
to  prescribe  what  number  of  your  troops  are  and  what 
number  are  not  to  enter  the  city,  all  I  can  say  is  that 
New  York  must  be  considered  as  the  minister's  place, 
and  not  the  continent.  I  must  now,  sir,  beg  pardon  for 
the  length  of  this  letter,  and  more  so,  for  the  presumption 
in  offering  so  freely  my  thoughts  to  the  congress,  from 
whom  it  is  my  duty  simply  to  receive  my  orders,  and  as 
a  servant  and  soldier  strictly  to  obey;  which  none  can  do 
with  greater  ardor  and  affection  than, 
Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant. 
To  the  honourable  John  Hancock,  esquire, 

president  of  the  continental  Congress. 


—  69 


NOTE....NO.  XVIII. 


THE  NAMES  OF  THE  MEMBERS  WHO  SUBSCRIBED  THE 
DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE,  WERE  AS  FOLLOW, 
VIZ. 

New  Hampshire. 

Josiah  Bartlett,  Mathew  Thornton. 

William  Whipple, 

Massachusetts  Bay. 

Samuel  Adams,  Robert  Treat  Paine, 

John  Adams,  Elbridge  Gerry. 

Rhode  Island,   &c. 

William  Ellery. 
Connecticut. 

William  Williams, 
Oliver  Wolcott. 
New  York. 

Francis  Lewis, 
Lewis  Morris. 
New  Jersey. 

John  Hart, 
Abram  Clark. 


Stephen  Hopkins, 

Roger  Sherman, 
Samuel  Huntington, 

William  Floyd, 
Philip  Livingston, 


Richard  Stockton, 
John  Witherspoon, 
Francis  Hopkinson, 


Robert  Morris, 
Benjamin  Rush, 
Benjamin  Franklin, 
John  Morton, 
George  Clymer, 

Cesar  Rodney, 

Samuel  Chase, 
William  Paca, 


Pennsylvania. 

James  Smith, 
George  Taylor, 
James  Wilson, 
George  Ross. 

Delaware. 

George  Read. 
Maryland. 

Thomas  Stone, 

Charles  Carroll,  ofCarrollton. 


—  70  — 

Virginia* 

George  Wythe,  Thomas  Nelson,  jun. 

Richard  Henry  Lee,  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee, 

Thomas  Jefferson.  Carter  Braxton. 

Benjamin  Harrison. 

North  Carolina. 

William  Hooper,  John  Penn. 

Joseph  Hughes, 

South  Carolina. 

Edward  Rutledge,  Thomas  Lynch,  jun. 

Thomas  Hey  ward,  jun.         Arthur  Middleton. 

Georgia. 

Button  Gwinnett,  Lyman  Hall, 

George  Walton. 


.  XIX. 


In  a  very  long  and  confidential  letter  to  governor  Henry  of 
Virginia,  the  commander  in  chief,  when  adverting  to  the 
additional  regiments  to  be  raised  in  that  state,  thus  pressed 
the  necessity  of  selecting  with  care  the  officers  to  be  afi- 
pointed  to  them. 

I  imagine,  before  this,  congress  have  made  you  ac- 
quainted with  their  resolutions  for  raising  the  new  army, 
and  that  your  colony  is  to  furnish  fifteen  battalions  to  be 
inlisted  during  the  war.  As  it  will  occasion  the  choosing 
,a  number  of  new  officers,  I  would,  in  the  most  urgent  •. 
manner,  recommend  the  utmost  care  and  circumspection 
in  your  several  appointments.  I  do  not  expect  that  there 
are  many  experienced  gentlemen  now  left  with  you,  as, 
from  what  I  have  understood,  those  who  served  in  the  last 
war,  are  chiefly  promoted  ;  however,  I  am  satisfied  that 
the  military  spirit  runs  so  high  in  your  colony,  and  that 


the  number  of  applicants  wiH  be  so  considerable,  that  a 
very  proper  choice  may  be  made.  Indeed  the  army's 
being  put  upon  such  a  permanent  footing,  will  be  a  strong 
inducement  for  them  to  step  forth  on  the  present  interest- 
ing occasion.  One  circumstance  in  this  important  busi- 
ness ought  to  be  cautiously  guarded  against,  and  that  is, 
the  soldier  and  officer  being  too  nearly  on  a  level.  Disci- 
pline and  subordination  add  life  and  vigour  to  military 
movements.  The  person  commanded  yields  but  a  reluc- 
tant obedience  to  those  he  conceives  undeservedly  made 
his  superiors.  The  degrees  of  rank  are  frequently  trans- 
ferred from  civil  life  into  the  departments  of  the  army. 
The  true  criterion  to  judge  by,  when  past  services  do  not 
enter  into  the  competition,  is,  to  consider  whether  the 
candidate  for  office  has  a  just  pretension  to  the  character 
of  a  gentleman,  a  proper  sense  of  honour,  and  some  re- 
putation to  lose. 

Perhaps,  sir,  you  may  be  surprised  at  my  pressing  this 
advice  so  strongly,  as  I  have  done  in  this  letter;  but  I 
have  felt  the  inconveniencies  resulting  from  a  contrary 
principle  in  so  sensible  a  manner,  and  this  army  has  been 
so  greatly  enfeebled  by  a  different  line  of  conduct,  that  I 
hope  you  will  readily  excuse  me. 


.  xx. 


"  My  reasons  for  this  measure,"  said  the  commander 
in  chief  in  his  letter  to  general  Lee,  ordering  him  to  cross 
the  Hudson,  "  and  which  I  think  must  have  weight  with 
you,  are,  that  the  enemy  are  evidently  changing  the  seat 
of  war  to  this  side  of  the  North  river  ;  that  this  country, 
therefore,  will  expect  the  continental  army  to  give  what 
support  they  can;  and,  if  disappointed  in  this,  will  cease 


—  72  — . 

to  depend  upon,  or  support  a  force  by  which  no  protection 
is  riven  to  them.  It  is,  therefore,  of  the  utmost  impor- 
tance thai  at  least  an  appearance  of  force  should  be  made, 
to  keep  this  state  in  connexion  with  the  others.  If  that 
should  not  continue,  it  is  much  to  be  feared  that  its  influ- 
ence on  Pennsylvania  would  be  very  considerable;  and 
the  public  interests  would  be  more  and  more  endangered. 
Unless,  therefore,  some  new  event  should  occur,  or  some 
more  cogent  reason  present  itself,  I  would  have  you 
move  over  by  the  easiest  and  best  passage.  I  am  sensible 
your  numbers  will  not  be  large,  and  that  the  movement 
ir ay  not  perhaps  be  agreeable  to  your  troops.  As  to  the 
first,  report  will  exaggerate  them,  and  there  will  be  pre- 
served the  appearance  of  an  army,  which  will,  at  least, 
have  the  effect  of  encouraging  the  desponding  here ;  and, 
as  to  the  other,  you  will  doubtless  represent  to  them, 
that  in  duty  and  gratitude,  their  service  is  due  wherever 
the  enemy  may  make  the  greatest  impression,  or  seem 
to  intend  to  do  so." 


3  1158008082413 


I  I II  III  I  Illl ....  ...  ,., „,,.,, „ 

A     001  056419     3 


f 


, 


